What is an illegal charter flight (fright), and how to avoid them?

Illegal charter flights, also known as “black market” or “Gray market” charter flights, are operated without the proper licenses, certifications, or insurance. Unqualified pilots may operate these flights with inadequate aircraft maintenance and safety measures.

Illegal charter flights are prohibited by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)/EASA/DGCA. They can pose a significant safety risk and are not regulated to ensure safety standards are met. To avoid illegal charter flights, it is essential only to use a charter company that is appropriately licensed and certified by the FAA. You can verify the company’s certification by checking the FAA/EASA/DGAC online database of certified charter companies.

When inquiring about a charter company, ask for their certification number and check with the FAA/EASA/DGAC if they are a certified company. Also, you can check the company’s safety record and reputation by checking online reviews and asking for references from other clients. Additionally, thoroughly review the private charter contract before signing it and ensure that it includes all the necessary information, such as the flight itinerary, type of aircraft, and cost, as well as insurance and liability details. It is essential to understand that using illegal charter flights is unlawful and can also put your life and the lives of those on the flight in danger.

Always use a reputable and properly licensed charter company for your private charter needs. Another way to avoid illegal charter flights is to book your charter through a reputable charter broker. A reputable charter broker will have a network of certified charter companies that they work with and can ensure that the charter company you are booking with is properly licensed and certified. They can also verify the company’s safety record and reputation. Additionally, you can ask for the company’s Operating Certificate (Op Spec), a document issued by the FAA/DGCA/EASA that details the company’s operating procedures and safety standards. This certificate can prove that the company has met the FAA’s/DGCA standards for safe operations.

When booking a private charter flight, it’s essential to be vigilant and question any suspicious activity. For example, if the charter company is unwilling to provide you with detailed information about the aircraft and pilots, or if the cost of the charter seems too good to be true, it is likely that the company is operating illegally. Finally, if you suspect an illegal charter flight, it is important to immediately report it to the FAA/EASA/DGCA or local AW office.

To avoid illegal charter flights, it’s essential to use a reputable charter company that is appropriately licensed and certified by the FAA/DGCA, to work with reputable charter brokers, to verify the company’s safety record and reputation, and to be vigilant for suspicious activity. Another way to ensure that you are not booking an illegal charter flight is to ensure that the charter company complies with the laws and regulations of your destination country. Some countries have stricter rules than others, and some may have different requirements for obtaining a charter license. You should also ensure that the charter company complies with the laws and regulations of the country where the aircraft is registered. Some aircraft are registered in countries with different safety and maintenance standards than others. Verifying the flight crew’s qualifications and experience is also a good idea. Ensure the pilot and crew are appropriately licensed and have the necessary qualifications and experience to operate the aircraft safely. Also, check if the company has a safety management system (SMS), a comprehensive framework for managing safety risks, and ensuring safety standards are met. It’s also important to consider the type of aircraft you are chartering. Some older or less well-maintained aircraft may not meet current safety standards. It’s essential to ensure the aircraft is properly maintained and meets current safety standards.

In short, to avoid illegal charter flights, it’s essential to research the charter company and the aircraft, ensure that the charter company is compliant with local and international laws and regulations, and verify the flight crew’s qualifications and experience. Always be vigilant, question anything suspicious, and report illegal charter flights to the appropriate authorities.

In India, it can be safely said that the concept of grey or unlawful flight does not exist as the MOCA & DGCA are very active and monitors flying very minutely and have helped maintain the record of GA flight safety very high.

 Role of a Charter Broker 

Charter Brokers are responsible for arranging private charter flights for clients, and they typically have a network of certified charter companies they work with. The primary responsibility of a charter broker is to ensure that the client is matched with the most suitable charter company for their specific needs. This includes evaluating the client’s requirements, such as the type of aircraft needed, the flight itinerary, and the number of passengers, and then selecting the most appropriate charter company from their network. A charter broker is also responsible for providing the client with detailed information about the charter company and the aircraft, including safety records, certifications, and insurance coverage. This allows the client to make an informed decision about whether to book the charter flight. The responsibility of the charter broker is to negotiate the terms of the charter for a client, such as the cost of the alliance and flight itinerary. They should also provide the client with a detailed quote, which includes all the necessary information, such as the type of aircraft, the flight itinerary, the cost, and any additional services or amenities that will be provided. Charter brokers also have to ensure that the charter company complies with their country’s laws and regulations, the country where the aircraft is registered, and the destination country. They must also ensure that the aircraft and flight crew meet safety standards. Finally, a charter broker should be able to provide customer service; they should be available to answer any questions the client may have and to help the client with any issues that may arise during the charter flight.

Why humans are better than digital charter booking platforms.

While digital charter booking platforms can be convenient and efficient for booking private charter flights, there are certain advantages to using a human charter broker over a digital platform. One of the main advantages is that human charter brokers have more experience and expertise in the private charter industry. They deeply understand aircraft types, charter companies, routes, and destinations. They can use this knowledge to match the client with the most suitable charter company for their specific needs. Another advantage is that human charter brokers can provide more personalized service. They can take the time to understand the client’s particular requirements and preferences and tailor the charter to meet their needs. They can also provide additional services, such as flight planning, ground transportation, and catering. Humans also have better problem-solving skills and can handle unexpected situations better than digital platforms. They can quickly adapt to unforeseen changes in the client’s needs or flight plans, such as weather-related delays or cancellations. They can find suitable solutions to mitigate the impact of these issues on the client’s travel plans. Also, human charter brokers can provide more transparency and accountability, as they are more accessible to the client than a digital platform. Clients can communicate directly with their broker, ask questions, and receive real-time answers. While digital charter booking platforms can be convenient and efficient, human charter brokers offer a more personalized service, with more experience and expertise in the private charter industry, problem-solving skills, and the ability to handle unexpected situations, transparency, and accountability. They can provide a more comprehensive service and make the client’s charter booking experience more comfortable.

Written By: Team Safe Fly Aviation

Safe Fly Aviation is an International charter service company. Along with its associates, it has a global presence and can provide best-in-class charter services to its clients across the globe.

We have been serving our esteemed clients since 2010.