Trading standards investigates ‘bogus’ airline
Trading standards is investigating a ‘bogus airline’ which is advertising for staff on its website and asking applicants to pay £75 up front.
Authorities are looking to close down the Fair Airway’s website which claims its corporate base is in Taunton, Somerset and that flights to more than 36 countries will start on 1 November, reports the BBC.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it had never heard of the airline and trading standards is trying to identify the people behind it.
The website directs potential cabin crew, ground and customer care staff to its Fair Academy website which offers theory courses in India and Switzerland, and practical courses in the UK.
The site states training registration costs £75, plus an optional £250 for food and accommodation if training in India.
Somerset trading standards was alerted to the website after a complaint from Kathmandu.
Team manager Andy Fowler told the BBC: "The thought of basing a UK Royal Airline, as it says, in a market town in Somerset is not perhaps a realistic one.
"Our job now is to work with the internet service providers to identify the individuals behind it.
"One of our first jobs will be, if we can prove that it’s bogus, to get the website taken down."
A spokesman for the CAA said: "In order to operate services legally, UK-based airlines are required to hold both an operating licence and an Air Operators Certificate (AOC) – issued by the CAA.
"To obtain these, airlines must meet strict criteria to demonstrate that the company is financially sound and is able to deliver services safely.
"The CAA can confirm that Fair Airways holds neither an operating licence nor an AOC, and has not submitted applications for either."
The BBC claims it has been trying to contact Fair Airways since 1 August but is yet to receive a response.
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