Manila: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has tapped the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to help strengthen measures against illegal chartered flights. CAAP on Thursday said the FAA conducted a virtual briefing about illegal charter operations on March 19.

According to Philippines News Agency, “Among the topics discussed include aviation safety risks and regulatory concerns, identifying illegal charter operations, and the latest trends and enforcement measures,” CAAP information officer Bea Bernardo told the agency. CAAP reaffirms its dedication to strengthening regulatory enforcement and increasing awareness to protect passengers and uphold the integrity of aviation operations through international collaboration.

“This collaboration with the FAA underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and legality of air transport operations in the Philippines,” CAAP Director General Raul del Rosario was quoted in a news release. He added that by providing aviation and law enforcement personnel with the necessary training and expertise, the country’s ability to prevent illegal charter activities will be strengthened.

A total of 121 personnel from various CAAP airports and offices, the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Customs, Office for Transportation Security, and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group attended the briefing. “Illegal charter flights pose serious risks to passenger safety and security by operating without proper approval and oversight. To address this issue, CAAP and FAA collaborated to increase awareness and highlight the need for regulatory compliance,” the CAAP said.

Further training initiatives are anticipated as part of CAAP’s partnership with the FAA.