Vilnius, Lithuania — Avion Express, a major European wet-lease specialist, has launched a formal investigation into serious allegations that a former pilot served as captain on numerous passenger flights across the continent using falsified credentials. The inquiry, initiated following receipt of unverified information regarding the aviator’s background, threatens to intensify scrutiny over document verification standards within the rapidly deployed (ACMI) sector of commercial aviation. The company confirmed the individual flew services, potentially for multiple client carriers, before the irregularities were reportedly flagged during a routine paperwork audit.
The unnamed pilot, who previously held a First Officer position at Garuda Indonesia, is alleged to have circumvented strict European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) requirements for command experience and required simulator checks. Reports from industry observers suggest the alleged forgeries enabled the pilot to secure the left-seat position, flying multiple rotations as captain for Avion Express’s partners, including Eurowings. Eurowings has acknowledged the situation and referred the matter to its internal safety team, declining further comment while the investigation is active.
Scrutiny on Cross-Border Credential Checks
Avion Express, headquartered in Vilnius and part of Avia Solutions Group, operates a fleet of over 50 Airbus A320-family aircraft, providing critical capacity to airlines globally, including easyJet and SunExpress, particularly during peak seasons.
The alleged breach highlights the unique vulnerabilities within the wet-lease market. These ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) arrangements require the rapid deployment of resources across different jurisdictions. Such complexity can complicate the verification of crucial paperwork—licenses, logbooks, and endorsements—which may originate from diverse international regulatory bodies.
According to Rolanda Lipnevičiūtė, head of marketing and communications at Avion Express, the internal probe is complex, requiring coordination with multiple agencies across various countries to establish facts. She emphasized that while the investigation is ongoing, there is currently no conclusive evidence proving deliberate document falsification.
The Need for Enhanced Due Diligence
While neither Avion Express nor Eurowings has reported any specific safety incidents linked to the pilot’s flights, the incident raises crucial questions about pre-employment security protocols. The swift nature of ACMI contracts, which prioritize rapid capacity deployment, may inadvertently place pressure on traditional due diligence processes.
Industry safety analysts note that operators are legally bound by stringent EASA standards. However, the practical application and speed of comprehensive safeguarding measures can vary, particularly when operators are scrambling to meet high seasonal demand.
Key Implications for the Wet-Lease Sector:
- Tighter Verification: The episode is expected to prompt an industry-wide review of recruitment and upgrade checks.
- Direct Validation: Operators may be forced to implement direct, real-time validation protocols with issuing aviation authorities and certified simulator providers, rather than solely relying on submitted documentation.
- Safety Management Systems: Partner airlines, whose brands are on the line, are likely reassessing their own contractual due-diligence protocols for outsourced crews.
Avion Express maintains that safety and regulatory compliance are core priorities and has pledged full cooperation with authorities to finalize the facts. The outcome of the investigation is anticipated to set a precedent for tighter credential verification standards across Europe’s dynamic wet-lease aviation landscape.