FAA Slaps Asia Pacific Airlines with $2.9 Million in Fines for Safety Violations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced a series of proposed civil penalties totaling $2.9 million against Honolulu-based Asia Pacific Airlines. The fines stem from various violations, including the use of unqualified pilots and operating without proper authorization, highlighting significant safety and operational control issues within the airline's operations.
At the heart of the penalties is a staggering $2.436,850 fine for the airline's alleged use of unqualified pilots on 163 Boeing 757 flights between December 20, 2022, and February 1, 2023. Despite the FAA's warning to the company on December 16, 2022, that these pilots were unqualified, Asia Pacific Airlines reportedly continued to utilize their services.
Further compounding the airline's troubles is a $250,000 fine for operating 121 flights without the necessary authority from an individual authorized to exercise operational control of those flights, also during the December 20, 2022, to February 1, 2023, timeframe.
The FAA's enforcement actions don't stop there. Asia Pacific Airlines faces a $150,000 penalty for conducting 30 flights with Boeing 757 aircraft that did not comply with conditions and limitations when certain equipment was out of service. An additional $64,000 fine was proposed for failing to document engine monitoring and assess engine reliability continually, especially for flights using Extended-range Twin-engine Operations Performance Standards (ETOPS) between at least August 20, 2021, and November 22, 2021. The airline also failed to perform the required removal of an engine that exceeded allowable temperatures on a flight on July 21, 2022.
Lastly, the FAA has proposed an $8,000 penalty for alleged violations of safety risk management regulations by Asia Pacific Airlines. These fines underscore the FAA's commitment to ensuring that airline operators adhere strictly to safety regulations and operational standards.
Asia Pacific Airlines has been given 30 days from the receipt of the FAA's enforcement letters to respond to the agency. These proposed penalties highlight the importance of compliance with aviation safety regulations and the FAA's role in enforcing these standards to protect passengers and ensure safe skies.