FAA SETTLES CASE AGAINST TAG AVIATION USA

Nov. 30, 2007
Total fines set at $10 million

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration issued the following press release:

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reached a $10 million settlement agreement on Nov. 8 with TAG Aviation USA, Inc. (TAG) of Burlingame, Calif., and TAG Holding SA (TAH) of Geneva, Switzerland and their affiliates or subsidiaries for operating flights for compensation or hire without an air carrier certificate. This follows the Oct. 12 revocation of AMI Jet Charter's certificate for allowing TAG Aviation to operate the flights.

Under the terms of the $10 million settlement agreement, TAG paid $4 million on Nov. 8 and will pay the remaining $6 million by close of business on Dec. 31.

While the FAA did not pursue civil penalty action against the owners of aircraft listed on AMI Jet Charter's operations specifications, it notified them that operating such flights without an air carrier certificate would subject them to legal enforcement action, including substantial civil penalties for each violation of the regulations.

"The FAA will take action whenever it finds that a company or an individual has engaged in air transportation when it does not hold an air carrier certificate," said FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety Nicholas A. Sabatini.

The owners of aircraft previously listed on AMI Jet Charter's operations specifications may allow air carrier certificate holders to use their aircraft in charter operations if the aircraft meet FAA policy for adding aircraft to operations specifications, including such items as pilot training, maintenance requirements, and aircraft conformity checks.

Contact: Alison Duquette, 202/267-3883.