In the world of air charter, the problem of Illegal charters has become more prevalent with the increased business use of business jets by industry as the pandemic has impacted on the availability of scheduled flights and companies and executives have concerns about the medical safety of scheduled flights through crowded airports. Illegal charters arise when an operator offers paid charter services in aircraft not certified for commercial operations and/or flown by pilots without appropriate commercial licences. In many cases the aircraft are not adequately maintained due to the reduced levels of regulatory oversight for private flying and pilots may not be as rigorously trained and tested. The issue is highlighted at page 34 of the Asia Pacific Charter Report 2020 https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/63755701/charter-report-2020
At Gates Aviation we have developed an investigative oversight process that can identify unsafe or less safe charter operations, including this ‘illegal’ charter activity. Companies and individuals can help stay safe in the air with a quick request for our service. The tragic loss of the footballer Emiliano Sala in 2019 was an example of what can happen if credentials are taken on trust alone. At Gates we have discovered that even more established operators of these services, while not operating illegally, can have surprising shortfalls in their operations including in the safety arena.
Sean Gates, CEO of Gates Aviation stressed “In these difficult times, care must be taken in safeguarding the lives of employees. Due diligence must be exercised, for their wellbeing and to satisfy the legal responsibilities of employers.”
Gates Aviation has significant expertise in the provision of audit and research services to aviation service providers as well as advising on safety, security, business continuity, disaster preparation and management. The company has regularly been identified as a leading aviation consultancy, most recently in Global 100-2020.
London, 12 August 2020