5 Red Flags When Choosing an ACMI Provider

Sourcing ACMI capacity under time pressure is one of the highest-risk procurement decisions an airline can make. Peak season crises and AOG situations create urgency — and urgency creates leverage for operators who are not who they say they are.

Red Flag 1: Reluctance to Share AOC Documentation

A legitimate ACMI provider will share their AOC number and regulatory authority without hesitation. Warning signs: inability to provide the AOC number immediately, claims of "pending renewal" lasting months, AOC validity dates within 90 days without confirmed renewal.

What to do: Cross-reference the AOC number directly with the national aviation authority public database before any commercial discussion.

Red Flag 2: Vague Maintenance Records

Every commercial aircraft has a documented maintenance history. Warning signs: inability to provide C-check dates, gaps in engine history records, refusal to disclose open deferred defects, CAMO that cannot be independently verified.

What to do: Request the full technical log summary and CAMO contact details. Consider commissioning a pre-delivery technical inspection.

Red Flag 3: Unclear Insurance Arrangements

In standard ACMI, the lessor provides hull, liability and war risk insurance. Warning signs: inability to confirm the insurer name, coverage that cannot be independently verified, war risk exclusions for your planned routes.

What to do: Request the insurance certificate directly from the lessor broker. Have your aviation insurance counsel review coverage before acceptance.

Red Flag 4: No Verifiable Transaction History

An ACMI provider with no reference-able transaction history represents a fundamentally higher risk profile. Warning signs: references unavailable for contact, references from within the operator own group, deal history that cannot be independently confirmed.

What to do: Request two to three independent references from airlines who have operated their aircraft within the last 18 months. Contact referenced airlines directly.

Red Flag 5: Pressure to Skip Due Diligence

Legitimate operators with good records do not need to pressure anyone. Warning signs: artificial urgency, claims that standard due diligence is "unusual," pressure to sign before insurance confirmation.

What to do: Walk away. No short-term capacity need is worth the risk of an operational, legal or safety problem with an unvetted counterparty.