Cardiff City FC and BACA Call for Urgent Action to Crack Down on Illegal Flights

Cardiff City Football Club and BACA - The Air Charter Association have joined forces to call for urgent action on illegal flights following the tragic Piper PA-46 Malibu crash that resulted in the deaths of footballer Emiliano Sala and pilot David Ibbotson.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) published a preliminary report on 25th February 2019 which identified that the pilot of the PA-46 was not licensed to fly fee-paying passengers and the plane itself was not registered to undertake commercial flights.

Records have since shown that pilot David Ibbotson was also not licensed to fly at night. Former football agent Willie McKay, operating without a football agent’s licence, has confirmed that he had paid for the flight. This information has prompted widespread calls for action by the air charter and football industries, with the backing of senior MPs.

Cardiff City has called on football’s governing bodies to ensure clubs and players never again use illegal flights.

BACA - The Air Charter Association is calling on the Government to review the level of criminal liability and enforcement options available to authorities, including larger fines and prison time for pilots and individuals who arrange and undertake illegal flights.