Seal of Accreditation Vets Standards for Air Charter Firms

The Air Charter Association (The ACA) has launched a Seal of Accreditation process to indicate that its member companies have been assessed as meeting the standards of professionalism set out in the industry group’s Code of Practice. All new member companies are subject to accreditation checks, which are largely based on endorsement by existing members to verify that companies are reliable and operate legally.

To be considered for membership, companies must be able to show they have been trading for at least 12 months. Those applying within two years need to be supported by managers or directors from two current corporate members, and also present two independent trade references. Charter aircraft operators need references from brokers they have recently worked with and, conversely, brokers need endorsements from operators.

“Referees must affirm they have worked with the applicant company and found them to be trustworthy, honest, and professional,” a spokesperson for The ACA explained after the program was announced last week. “They believe them to uphold the highest industry standards and are confident they comply with The ACA Code of Practice and, to the best of their knowledge, have not been involved in any illegal practices.”

The ACA’s Code of Practice requires that companies operate in a legal, ethical, and professional manner, behaving in a transparent and fair way as well as “respecting and investing in the development and well-being of their employees.” The document also sets out expectations for how companies manage contracts, as well as trip quotes and commissions, and how services are marketed to clients. All existing ACA members hold the Seal of Accreditation. 

Legal and Transparent

Accredited members are required to conduct business legally in any territory in which they operate. “If there are any concerns about whether a company is misrepresenting their services or seeking to provide charter services without the necessary certifications, this is investigated thoroughly during the initial accreditation process, and operators provide their licensing, insurance, and airworthiness documentation for review,” the spokesperson added.

“We are proud to launch The ACA’s Seal of Accreditation, which has been designed to invoke a sense of security and safety for clients,” said The ACA’s chief executive, Glenn Hogben. “Instantly recognizable, the Seal represents excellence and professionalism in all areas, helping potential clients identify accredited member companies and book charter flights securely. As strong advocates for educating the public on the dangers of illegal charter, we believe it is important to provide clear information, to support passengers to fly safely every day.”

The Seal of Accreditation process typically takes around four weeks to complete. Members are expected to maintain the required standards and can be reported to the association for any alleged breaches, which will be investigated and could result in expulsion from the group.

According to The ACA, the Seal of Accreditation is a valid supplement to “single point in time” audits conducted by companies such as Wyvern and Argus. This is because it provides an external “market-based” validation from industry peers.