Scottish budget Airline, Flyglobespan, is to be prosecuted, it has been reported.
The airline has been ordered to appear before a court accused of illegally flying passengers to America in a jet that needed repairs.
It is alleged that the airline allowed a Boeing 757 aircraft (like the one pictured above) to fly from Liverpool to America after the previous flight crew had reported technical problems with the aircraft. It is alleged that the aircraft’s engine and pressure gauges had failed after taking off from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
This will be the first criminal prosecution of a British airline in over ten years and it is reported that the prosecution relates to a flight last summer.
The prosecution is being brought by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) following the chief executive of the airline having been questioned under caution.
A hearing has been set down for 2 July at Westminster Magistrates Court and Flyglobespan say that they will “vigorously contest any allegations” they “deem to be unjustified”.
If the airline were to be fond guilty they would face an unlimited fine. The CAA is also reportedly looking into two further incidents involving damaged planes.
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