Charter & Fractional
ACA Warns Rising Costs Could Spur Illegal Charter
Air Charter Association is concerned some for-hire flights are circumventing rules
Aero Friedrichshafen
The Air Charter Association is increasing its partnership with organizers of the Aero Friedrichshafen show. © Fairnamic

The Air Charter Association (ACA) is concerned that rising costs from elevated fuel prices could spur an increase in illegal for-hire flights. During the recent Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany, the industry group had discussions with national business aviation associations to address concerns that some private operators are blurring the lines in order to circumvent commercial operating rules.

Kevin Ducksbury, the industry group’s chairman, told AIN that some so-called “club membership” offerings are being used to disguise what are actually private operations. He said that groups such as the Austrian Business Aviation Association are worried that these may amount to “gray” charter activity that could result in serious legal and safety issues, while placing legitimate commercial operators at a competitive disadvantage.