BBGA warns non-UK Air Carriers to avoid rule infringements

Image courttesy BBGA

BBGA highlighted a recent flight when an overseas operator, flying an international celebrity, flew from continental Europe to the UK, taking off without the required Foreign Carrier charter permit. Another worrisome scenario is when a charter permit is impossible to secure in the timeframe available and an AOC operator, desperate to operate the trip, chooses to file the flight ‘private’. The charter client may be totally unaware that the operator is flouting the rules to get revenue in.

An air taxi or an air charter, is recognised in law as ‘commercial’ air transport and should never be considered as a private arrangement. The flight plan for such flights cannot thus be filed as ‘G’, as that denotes a private flight.

In the case of the celebrity flight, the UK Civil Aviation Authority took swift and efficient action. The operator was investigated and enforcement action was undertaken by the Authority, resulting in a loss of opportunity – for both the operator wishing to sell charters to the UK and the aircraft owner being able to visit the UK with their own aircraft (for a lengthy period of time).

Paul Cremer, Chairman of the British Business and General Aviation Operations Working Group, said: “Imagine through no fault of their own, the aircraft’s owner is denied access to the UK with their own business aircraft, because the aircraft management company/operator flouted permit rules.”

Joining forces with global air charter association, The Air Charter Association and the UK Operations Managers Association, BBGA is urging its members to collaborate and share intelligence with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in a concerted bid to stop AOC operators operating flights if they have not been issued with the relevant charter permit.

If there is any doubt regarding compliance with the requirements of civil aviation legislation, a report can be filed directly with the Authority: https://www.caa.co.uk/our-work/make-a-report-or-complaint/report-something/make-a-whistleblowing-report

Upon receipt of a whistleblowing report an acknowledgement will be provided by the UK CAA.

“Industry trade associations have an important role to play communicating information,” Paul Cremer said, adding that “there is a need for more education on the complexities of charter permits across all sectors of the industry, from charter brokers at the inception of the charter, through to aircraft operators being honest and true to their clients on charter permit processing times.”

With over 40 operator members flying turboprops right though to ultra-long range business jets, BBGA’s Operations Working Group meets regularly at aircraft operator, FBO and OEM facilities up and down the country to address and educate members on critical topics. Representatives from the UK CAA and DfT attend these meetings, either in person or online.  

Cremer said: “We urge all non-UK air carriers, including European Economic Area (EEA) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) operators, that wish to undertake commercial services to, from or within the United Kingdom to check all their documentation and credentials and to fully understand how the permit system works.”

BBGA will host its annual conference in London on 11th March. The theme ‘Running Together’ will celebrate collaboration and innovation as our industry continues to broaden and expand.