Fly Legal Day 

On 21st January 2019, Premiership Footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot, David Ibbotson, tragically lost their lives when an illegally chartered aircraft they were on crashed into the English Channel. 

In memory of this fatal accident, the Global trade association for the air charter industry, The Air Charter Association, have designated 21st January as Fly Legal Day to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal charter flights. 

This date is now observed by members and industry colleagues around the world to spread the word and shine a light on this illicit practice, in the hope of preventing similar tragedies in the future. 

What is an illegal Charter? 

In order to operate flights, an operator must hold a valid Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which demonstrates their adherence to a strict set of regulations designed to ensure the safety of both passengers and crew.

An illegal charter is an unlicensed aircraft charter operation whereby the operator does not have an AOC (Air Operator Certificate), bypassing training, checking, oversight and compliance requirements which impact the layers of safety that a commercial operator provides.

While they are rare, unfortunately illegal charters do occur and are a very dangerous practice

How can you avoid an illegal charter?

The most certain way to avoid booking an illegal charter is by using a reputable aircraft broker, who are accredited members of The ACA to book and operate your flight. All operators readily hold copies of their AOC certificates, so don’t be afraid to check these before booking a potential charter flight. 

Fly Safely with Air Charter Scotland 

Air Charter Scotland has earned a reputation as one of the safest and most respected private jet operators. We ensure our fleet is maintained to uncompromising safety standards, and are regulated by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and by Transport Malta and are an accredited member of the ACA.

All aircraft we fly are listed on our approved maintenance programme and maintained to the highest possible standards. We provide full CAMO (Continuous Airworthiness Management Organisation) support.

Our award-winning service always has the highest level of crew training, safety and operating standards at its heart.

As an operator of public transport flights, we meet the same safety standards as Europe’s largest airlines, and we strive to better them.

Contact the Air Charter Scotland team with any questions you might have about Fly Legal Day or to enquire about a charter around your travel needs.

Air Charter Scotland Ltd (ACSL) has ushered in the New Year with additional charter capacity in the shape of two brand new, super mid-size Embraer Praetor 600 business jets. Our new G-MCEN is positioned out of London Luton Airport at Signature Flight Support’s FBO, while our new G-GDAB’s main base will be at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Embraer’s Praetor family has been hailed as a game changer in its size category.  With a range of 4,000nm (7,408km), the Praetor 600 is capable of operating direct long haul flights from London to New York in 7.5 hours and London to Dubai in 6.5 hours.  Since coming online in October and December 2022 respectively, Air Charter Scotland’s aircraft have undertaken charter flights to the Caribbean and the Middle East.

The introduction of the latest aircraft builds on a solid 14-year relationship flying Embraer executive jets, which started with Legacy 600 G-WCCI, one of the first Legacy aircraft into the UK.

“We are delighted to have introduced these technologically-advanced aircraft into service and on the G-register,” said Air Charter Scotland COO Derek Thomson. “The Praetor offers a generous, exceptional cabin for nine passengers. It is ideal for shorter runway airports too, including Cannes Mandelieu, enabling great flexibility for our clients.”

“Private air charter has been embraced by many new customers these past 24 months,” he added.  Leisure travel has been the prime reason, but since the autumn, business executives and corporates are coming back too.  “Whether it’s peace of mind for health, wishing to avoid queues and delays at hub airports, not having to stay overnight for a business trip, or the fact that a once regular air service is no longer – the level of charter interest we are experiencing remains strong.” 

Alongside this, both aircrafts are also fitted with MedAire’s Universal Precaution Kit, offering further protection to out passengers and cabin crew. The state-of-the-art air quality management system delivers 100% fresh air throughout the cabin, further bolstered by HEPA filters which filter out bacteria and viruses. 

The new aircrafts also have high speed inflight connectivity features courtesy of KA Band and Satcom Direct, which are accessible from passengers’ own device, allowing us to offer in-flight Wi-Fi services for our passengers.

With recently added CAMO accreditation in the UK and Europe with sister company Air Charter Scotland Europe, Air Charter Scotland was able to facilitate the formal handover of both aircraft in Melbourne, FL.  Having an experienced in-house CAMO team is beneficial for aircraft owners whose aircraft they manage, being fully conversant with the flux in regulations supporting aircraft in the UK and European markets.

Air Charter Scotland Europe was one of the first UK air charter companies to be established in Malta in early 2021, enabling its France and Malta based business jets to operate individually with the EU without having to request a permit.

If you are interested in chartering either of our new aircrafts, contact our expert charter team today at +44 (0) 203 598 5392.

Air Charter Scotland Ltd and its Malta-based European subsidiary Air Charter Scotland Europe Ltd, are pleased to be able to offer full Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO) services both in the UK and Europe. This is following regulatory approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Europe’s EASA. The accreditation is a culmination of 18 months of work.

As a leading air charter and aircraft management company, they now have an expanding team engaged in CAMO activity, overseen by Continuing Airworthiness Manager, Richard Rooney. Stephen Pollock, Continued Airworthiness Manager – Europe, is looking after the European side of the operation, based out of Malta.

With expanded CAMO approval in the UK and Europe, Air Charter Scotland can liaise with regulators for an aircraft owner, appraise aircraft manuals, address airworthiness directives/service bulletins and support maintenance with preferred MRO companies, as well as perform on-site surveys and audits. 

“This means we can do much more activity in-house, expanding our managed charter fleet with wider expertise, including offering technical services in the UK and Europe to third-party operators and to owners. We can ensure that every aircraft we manage for them is compliant with full safety standards,” commented Richard Rooney.  

“This is significant as we add more aircraft owners. They have peace of mind we are fully conversant with the flux in regulations supporting both UK and European markets.” 

Air Charter Scotland’s foray into third-party CAMO support occurred this summer when it helped European charter operator Elit’Avia. ACS supported the transfer of a UK-registered Embraer Phenom 300 onto the 9H Maltese aircraft registry. As a G-registry operator, it supported Elit’Avia with the process of achieving an export certificate of airworthiness, assisting with communications between the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Transport Malta. COO Iain Houseman approached Air Charter Scotland COO Derek Thomson to assist with the process of full research on the aircraft’s records, including inspection and preparation for commercial operations. The goal was achieved within three weeks, concluding a very complex administrative situation.

Two new Embraer Praetor 600 business jets join managed charter fleet 

Commenting on the new aircrafts, COO Derek Thomson said: 

“We are delighted to have this widened CAMO capability, congratulations to Richard, Stephen and their team for all their hard work.”  

The CAMO accreditation enabled Air Charter Scotland to fly to Melbourne, FL, headed by Derek Thomson. Where the formal acceptance of its first of two Embraer Praetor 600 business jets was completed. 

The super midsize jet (G-GDAB) will be managed and offered for charter on behalf of a private owner out of Liverpool and London Luton Airports. It will be joined by G-MCEN arriving at the end of October.

In addition, a Cessna Citation CJ1 with Tamarack winglets is now back with the company. The aircraft will be positioned out of London Luton Airport, available for charter under the registration G-COBN.

If you are interested in chartering this aircraft, contact our expert charter team today at +44 (0) 203 598 5392

As we enter August, the demand for business jets and private charters shows no signs of abating. There is no better way to begin your trip in ultimate luxury, than with a private jet. At Air Charter Scotland, we are constantly busy dispatching our light and medium cabin sized aircraft, to and from small regional UK airports and dedicated business hubs. These airports aren’t experiencing the workforce issues that the busy, popular airport hubs are right now.   

Delays and cancellations have alas become synonymous for commercial short haul travel, exacerbated by lack of baggage handlers, and ground/cabin crew.  There is also strike action coming this month from Ryanair (France and Spain) and easyJet (Spain) which will affect many travellers plans.

This week, British Airways have announced they are temporarily suspending their ticket sales on domestic & European routes until 15th August – to get around the 100,000 per day passenger cap that has just been enforced at Heathrow – due to increased demand for air travel. Meanwhile, there’s also congestion and frustration at French customs in Dover. All of this disruption couldn’t have happened at more inconvenient timing in the peak holiday season when people want to explore the world, de-stress on a relaxing beach holiday and visit loved ones afar.

If you have your dream holiday in mind, cherished anniversary, big birthday or an overseas wedding on the horizon and concerns about reliability or getting delayed – why not give our on demand charter a try? We have welcomed a raft of new users who are now planning their own itineraries, discovering our Empty Legs and returning with us with a very positive experience.  

Private air charter is now more affordable than you think! Plan your next trip and book your private journey in the skies with us.