In its early days, Aero Dili operated a small fleet of Cessna light aircraft to provide civilian aviation services. Later, Aero Dili also offered air services as an international virtual airline, by leasing aircraft from Indonesia AirAsia and Sriwijaya Air. Currently, Aero Dili has fewer than 100 employees and owns a fleet of 3 aircraft. The airline provides both domestic and international flights from Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili.
Aero Dili announced plans to commence international operations in 2023, using an aircraft leased from Dubai Aerospace Enterprise; a second leased aircraft would join the fleet after six months, and a third aircraft after two and a half years. These plans represent a $20 million investment.
On March 20, 2023, an Airbus A320 with the Aero Dili livery landed in Dili. This was the first commercially registered aircraft in East Timor. This event marked a new chapter for East Timor’s aviation industry, signifying a significant step in the development of the national aviation industry.
During this time, the airline also received the necessary Certificate of Registration (COR) and Certificate of Airworthiness (COA) from the Timor-Leste Civil Aviation Authority (AACTL).
