Report Suspicious Charter Activity
/Two years ago, the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced the availability of a free service for certificated operators to report suspected illegal commercial flight activity. This service is funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"Persons illegally conducting commercial flights adversely affect the entire air charter industry," said NATA President James K. Coyne. "Now, more than ever, it is critical that aircraft operators maintain the high standards required of a Part 135 certificate holder.”
Any employee or agent of a Part 135 on-demand certificate holder can call a special toll-free number, 888-759-3581, to file a report of suspected illegal commercial flights, where an aircraft operator without an FAA Part 135 certificate is accepting compensation for transportation in violation of both FAA and Department of Transportation regulations. Questionable marketing practices, including advertisements and Web sites, may also be reported on this line.
NATA has contracted with a new independent third party individual who has knowledge of the air charter industry. Reports can be filed anonymously, if desired, and all reporters will be provided with a case code for follow-up. Callers are encouraged to leave a message to permit follow-up if the contractor is unable to immediately take the call.
Operators are encouraged to compile as much factual data as possible regarding the suspected illegal activity. The more detail and facts or evidence that are supplied, the better the chances are that the FAA can conduct a meaningful review and investigation. The FAA will be provided with those details, and NATA will regularly contact the agency to ensure that appropriate action is being taken.
"By providing NATA with the funding to establish and support this reporting program, the FAA has demonstrated its willingness to address long-standing industry concerns with so-called ‘Part 134 and 1/2’ operators – those aircraft operators who sell transportation without the appropriate certification," Coyne said. "This reporting service is an important step to ensuring a fair environment for properly certificated air carriers and a safe charter experience for the flight public."
In addition to providing meaningful, actionable information to the FAA, this service will also permit NATA to collect data that may help quantify the scope of the illegal charter problem.