Many aviation companies in Poland have lost their AOC approval since the country joined the EU, according to Ace Aviation's Arek Soltowski.

When new security measures were introduced following the September 11 terrorist attacks, aviation companies had little time to implement changes in regulations and many have since lost AOC approval. Soltowski claims that the public are often unaware that helicopter operators must have AOC approval before they can carry passengers commercially.

Ace Aviation is one of the few companies that has managed to regain its AOC, after it moved to an operating base in Warsaw. Many smaller operators previously used aeroclub bases to operate from but changes in Polish regulations stated that aviation companies must now operate from official bases to comply with the reinforced security programme.

As one of the few approved companies in Poland, Ace Aviation wants to attract foreign investment from operators looking for suitable aviation companies within Poland.