At AAT and Partners, we offer specialized legal services in Aviation & Aerospace grounded in Cameroon’s regulatory framework, international conventions, and the needs of operators, airlines, aircraft owners, and aviation stakeholders.

We advise and represent clients in corporate, regulatory, transactional, and dispute matters affecting civil aviation and aerospace activities in Cameroon and beyond.

Regulatory & Legal Framework in Cameroon

• The primary national law governing civil aviation in Cameroon is Law N° 2013/010 of 24 July 2013, which sets the “regime of civil aviation” replacing older legislation.
• Under this law, all aspects of civil aviation aircraft, air-fields, air transport (passengers, cargo), and aircrew  are subject to regulation.
• The regulatory body responsible for implementation, oversight and enforcement is the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA), a public administrative authority with legal personality and financial autonomy.
• Cameroon also subscribes to a number of international conventions and treaties governing international civil aviation  including the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention) which shape regulations on international flights, airspace sovereignty, safety standards, and international carriage.
• Regionally, agreements such as the Yamoussoukro Decision (and related regional instruments under the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, CEMAC) influence liberalization of air services, market access, traffic rights, and competition rules for intra African air transport.

Given this mix of national, regional and international law the legal landscape for aviation in Cameroon is complex and specialized legal guidance is often needed to safely navigate it.

What Our Firm Can Help With

We offer services tailored to the aviation and aerospace sector in Cameroon, including but not limited to:

Regulatory Compliance & Certification

• Assistance with registration of aircraft with CCAA, obtaining certificates of airworthiness, noise certificates and radio electric installation certificates (required before registration and granting of “Cameroonian nationality” to aircraft).
• Guidance for operators obtaining or renewing the necessary operating licenses e.g. for charter, cargo or scheduled services.
• Advice on compliance with international conventions (safety, airspace, bilateral agreements), regional rules and domestic regulations.

 Corporate & Transactional Matters

• Structuring of aircraft transactions (sale, purchase, lease), including title searches, registration and compliance with Cameroonian and international standards.
• Drafting and reviewing contracts for lease, charter agreements, maintenance/repair, management agreements and other aviation-specific arrangements.
• Advising on financing, asset registration and securing interests in aircraft under Cameroonian law.

Aviation Operations & Air Transport Business Advice

• Legal support for airlines, charter companies, cargo operators and other air transport businesses in establishing operations, obtaining certification, compliance with CCAA economic and safety regulations, and airport use agreements.
• Advising on air-service rights, traffic rights, bilateral agreements and route authorizations under regional/international frameworks.

Safety, Security & Liability / Incident Law

• Representation and counsel in case of aviation accidents, incidents, or safety/security investigations under Cameroonian law.
• Legal defense or representation in regulatory proceedings, certification challenges, or enforcement actions by CCAA or other authorities.
• Advice on liability, insurance, passenger and cargo rights, and compliance with laws on aviation security and safety. For example, offences such as unlawful seizure of aircraft, damage to airport facilities, or acts threatening safety are penalized under national law such as Law No. 2001-19 of 18 December 2001 punishing offences against civil aviation security.

 Regulatory Advice for Emerging & Specialized Areas

• Advising on introduction of new services (cargo, charter, escort flights, technical flights, ad-hoc operations)  including landing permits for non scheduled flights under Cameroonian law when applicable.
• Guidance for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations  including regulatory, licensing, safety and compliance aspects. This may include advising on cooperation or joint-ventures with foreign MRO firms, especially given recent cooperation agreements under CCAA.

How We Position Our Firm’s Aviation & Aerospace Practice

At AAT and Partners, our aviation & aerospace practice is built on:

• Regulatory mastery: Deep knowledge of the legal framework of civil aviation in Cameroon, including the key laws, international treaties and the role of regulatory authorities.
• Commercial & transactional acumen: Ability to handle aircraft transactions, leases, financing, operator licensing in compliance with domestic and international law.
• Risk management & dispute resolution: Preparedness to advise in safety, liability, accidents, insurance and regulatory enforcement issues.
• Client-tailored support: Whether a private operator, airline, cargo company, MRO firm, or investor. we shape our services to your needs.
• Commitment to Aviation Growth: We aim to support Cameroon’s aviation sector as it modernizes and expands, ensuring you benefit from liberalization, infrastructure growth, and regulatory reforms.