ILLEGAL INTERNATIONAL
FLIGHTS
Paul Cremin
Head of UK Aviation Safety, SAFA & PERMITS
BBGA Conference – 6 March 2012
What is an Illegal Public Transport?
• Third country aircraft operating commercially in the UK
without the necessary permission from the Secretary of
State (DFT)
• EEA aircraft operating commercial in the UK without an
AOC or operating licence
Permission
• Private flights do not require a Permit
• Corporate owned aircraft operated solely for its own corporate activity
• Privately owned aircraft not used for hire and reward
• Third Country Operators require permission of the Secretary of
State – minimum 48hrs in advance of flight
• EEA aircraft operating to or from the UK to or from a point
outside the EEA
Common Issues
• Cabotage Flights by US charter operators – Not Allowed
• Third Country Operators operating to the UK Overseas
Territories to and from the UK – Not Allowed
• Part 135 approved operators do also operate private
flights into the UK.
• Lack of registered offices in UK makes enforcement
difficult – Often the threat is only weapon.
The Problem – Luton Daily Bizjet Movements
Sample Week
Date
Permitted
Movements
UK &
Overseas
Territories
EEA
EEA
TCO
TCO
(Intra EU
Movements)
Questionable
Private
Questionable
Total Daily
Flights
Sunday
22/1/12
0
20
26
4
10
3
63
Monday
23/1/12
4
8
19
6
20
5
62
Tuesday
24/1/12
3
30
15
2
19
5
74
Wednesday
25/1/12
3
12
22
2
19
5
63
Thursday
26/1/12
0
18
19
3
17
4
61
Friday
27/1/12
0
21
24
5
17
2
69
Saturday
28/1/12
2
15
19
1
16
5
58
Week Total
12
124
144
23
118
29
450
ISSUES
• Policing is difficult – Most information is obtained after the flight has
taken place.
• Currently not being policed adequately – There is no permanent
resource looking at the problem
• Effective enforcement is only possible when there is tangible evidence
• If you suspect a flight is illegal then the onus you to prove it!
• Passengers are usually well briefed on what to expect.
Questions
Thank You