Liftbrief / Regulatory news and changes
How should buyers verify a private jet charter operator after the latest enforcement action?
Verify the operating company and the proposed aircraft—not just the broker’s brand or an old certificate attachment. FAA passenger guidance recommends checking the operator’s certificate and aircraft authorisation; its safe-charter materials also flag arrangements that leave passengers uncertain about operational control. (faa.gov)
What does the September 2026 case actually establish?
The FAA’s 22 September announcement alleges that ExcelAire conducted two compensated flights in August 2025 after its certificate had been surrendered in June 2025 following management resignations. The release describes a proposed penalty and an opportunity to respond; it does not establish the final outcome of the case. (faa.gov)
Procurement inference: evidence that a business held authority last year is not sufficient evidence for the next flight. Build revalidation into repeat bookings, especially after an operator change or a significant organisational event.
What evidence should the buyer request?
The following is a recommended diligence file, not a claim that every document must legally be delivered to every passenger:
| Evidence | What the buyer is trying to establish | When to refresh |
|---|---|---|
| Legal operating-carrier name and certificate details | Which entity will exercise operational control? | Onboarding and carrier substitution |
| Aircraft registration and confirmation of authorisation for the proposed operation | Does the evidence cover this aircraft and mission? | Each booking and aircraft substitution |
| Written identification of the operating regime | Is this charter, owner operation, fractional operation or another arrangement? | Each materially different purchasing model |
| Relevant insurance evidence | What coverage is evidenced, and which entity is insured? | Renewal, expiry or material change |
| International operating and landing permissions | Has the proposed itinerary been checked, not merely the aircraft’s range? | Each international mission |
| Replacement-carrier process | Will the same checks be repeated for recovery lift? | Contract negotiation and disruption |
For the common FAA Part 135 vs Part 91 private charter question, avoid using the word “private” as a legal classification. FAA guidance warns that compensation, carriage arrangements and operational control matter; a pilot’s commercial licence alone does not establish authority to provide charter transportation. Have aviation counsel examine unfamiliar dry-lease or aircraft-plus-pilot arrangements. (faa.gov)
The September 2026 certification-platform transition creates a narrower practical issue: suppliers may show application correspondence generated by a new system. Treat application progress and actual authority as separate evidence fields. The FAA describes the change as a transition of initial applications and documents, not a substitute for certification. (faa.gov)