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Fly Legal Day 2025: The Air Charter Association continues to highlight the dangers of illegal charter flights

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24th January 2025

Fly Legal Day 2025: The Air Charter Association continues to highlight the dangers of illegal charter flights

Leading global trade body The Air Charter Association (The ACA) is promoting Fly Legal Day again on 21 January 2025 to continue to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal charter. The date marks the 6th anniversary of the air tragedy in which Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot lost their lives, in an illegal charter flight. In memory of this fatal accident and to continue to widen awareness and ultimately reduce illegal charter activity, The ACA designated the date, 21 January, as “Fly Legal Day”.

Glenn Hogben, CEO of The ACA says: “The Air Charter Association continues to be active in raising awareness of the danger posed by illegal charter flights; educating industry and the public, to prevent the occurrence of future air tragedies. We call upon all members, associations and air charter industry colleagues, to join us on 21 January to promote Fly Legal Day and bring attention to this important issue.”

“The ACA upholds the highest industry standards and clients can be confident when chartering via a member company of The ACA, of receiving a professional, safe and trustworthy service.”

An illegal charter is an unlicensed aircraft charter, where the operator does not have an AOC (Air Operator Certificate), or Air Carrier Certificate (US), is operating a private aircraft and accepting payment for the flight, which is not legal. Operators without these licences are not required to adhere to the strict regulatory standards of maintenance, crew training and operational management that ensure the highest level of safety for travellers.

Fly Legal Day aims to shine a light on this dangerous and illicit practice, with the hope of preventing future tragedy. Download the full media pack at: https://www.theaircharterassociation.aero/compliance/illegal-charter/flylegalmediapack/

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