The Department of Civil Aviation of Aruba (DCAA) has revoked the air operator's certificate (AOC) of Bestfly Aircraft Management Aruba (BFY, Aruba) on May 11, saying it was a regulatory enforcement action taken in the interests of aviation safety and compliance oversight, according to an official statement seen by Corporate Jet Investor.

The certificate had been suspended on May 5 pending further regulatory review and oversight actions. “This occurrence reflects the DCAA's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of aviation safety, operational oversight, and regulatory compliance in accordance with Aruba's civil aviation framework and international aviation standards,” the authority said.

As a result of the revocation, aircraft previously operated commercially by Bestfly Aircraft Management Aruba were transferred to private operations.

ch-aviation research shows the company's active fleet comprises two Global Express jets, a Global 5000 that entered service on May 3, a G450, a G550, and an E175 added in mid-2025 and deployed on group charters for the oil and gas industry. All aircraft were operated under Bestfly Aircraft Management Aruba's 'BFY' code until the AOC suspension and have since been active using their registration as a callsign.

Other aircraft currently inactive include a Citation Excel parked at Luanda 4 De Fevereiro since December 14, a G450 stored at Fort Lauderdale Executive since March 2023, and two G550s, one parked at Riga since November 27 and the other stored at Vienna since March 2024. The status of one Learjet 45 remains unknown.

The company retired a E190 in mid-2025, with plans to use the aircraft for scheduled Caribbean operations. Later in 2025, Bestfly Aircraft Management Aruba phased out a B737-700(BBJ), followed by an ATR72-600 in early 2026. The company also operated other executive jets on behalf of third parties, including a Falcon 900B for Jetstream Aviation Congo.

Bestfly Aircraft Management Aruba is part of Angola-based Bestfly. Founded in 2009 by Nuno Pereira and Alcinda Pereira, who serve as chief executive and executive director, respectively, the group offers aircraft management, charter, ACMI, PSO operations, and ground handling services.

In Angola, Bestfly retired the two 13-year-old ATR72-600s it operated. One had been parked at Luanda 4 de Fevereiro since January 2025, while the other left the fleet in mid-April. Both were reregistered in Guernsey and the Isle of Man in early 2026 and are now parked at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo. It remains unclear whether Bestfly currently operates any aircraft.

The group further comprises Bestfly Cabo Verde. It is likewise unclear whether this unit operates any aircraft, as an ATR72-600 has been stored at São Vicente since September 2023.

ch-aviation contacted Bestfly Aircraft Management Aruba and the DCAA for further details.