Illegal Air Charter Flights Increased During Pandemic: FAA

The number of illegal air charter operations in the United States rose during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The data shows a 20% increase in unauthorized flights, from 251 in 2019 to 302 during the pandemic.

The surge in illegal charters during the pandemic can be attributed to several factors. "During the health crisis, people preferred 'more private' flights," said Edward Cárdenas, a member of the FAA's Special Emphasis Investigations Team (SEIT). He also identified three primary reasons for the continued occurrence of these flights: ignorance, carelessness, and criminal intent. "The ignorant have no idea about the rules; the careless might know a bit but received bad advice and think they are safe without ensuring compliance; and the criminal intentionally breaks regulations for profit," he stated.

Many aircraft owners engage in illegal charters to evade taxes, Cárdenas added, noting that this not only endangers airspace safety but also the lives of passengers and crew. He emphasized that several fatal accidents have occurred on illegal flights. In response, the FAA is offering guidance to combat illegal operations, and the US Department of Transportation is also working to eradicate this practice, encouraging the public to report illegal charters through its official website.

Cárdenas provided detailed statistics on the illegal charter flights, noting that from 2018 to 2019, there were 231 cases, averaging 115 annually. This figure jumped to 302 in 2020 and 2021, an annual average of 151 cases. In the subsequent period from 2022 to 2023, the number of incidents slightly declined by 3.3% to 292, with an annual average of 146.

The FAA has reported a notable increase in complaints about illegal charters, from 26 between 2018 and 2019 to 111 between 2020 and 2021, representing a 300% rise. This spike in reports reflects growing awareness and concern over the safety risks associated with unauthorized air charters.

Illegal air charter operations are a significant safety hazard. The FAA defines an air charter, also known as commuter or on-demand operations under 14 CFR part 135, as requiring a higher level of pilot training and certification, stringent maintenance procedures, and strict safety regulations compared to private pilot operations. The FAA is actively identifying and shutting down rogue operators while assisting passengers in verifying the legitimacy of their hired air charter companies.

The FAA's inspectors conduct frequent checks on pilots, crewmembers, and aircraft involved in charter operations, exceeding the scrutiny applied to private pilots. Regular proficiency checks are mandatory for pilots to maintain their FAA certifications.