Air Charter Broker Ethics

Safety begins from both the top-down and the bottom-up. All individuals involved in transactions and operations, including the charter broker, have a role to perform in managing safety risks. When air charter brokers conduct their business ethically, they enhance aviation safety.

Aviation regulations govern what an air charter broker must disclose to charter clients. This includes:

• The capacity in which they are acting as the broker
• The name and DBAs of the operator
• The amount and kind of insurance they carry
• If a second broker is used and who they are

Other disclosures must be made upon request. These include:

• If acting as customer’s agent, any relationship with the carrier/operator that has a bearing on selection of the carrier to operate the flight
• Total cost of the charter, including taxes and fees (need not be itemized)
• Any fees the customer must pay directly to third parties (e.g., fuel, landing, hanger, etc.)

The broker must also advise the customer of any changes to these disclosures within a reasonable time of their taking place.

To ensure you are dealing with the right broker, consider asking the broker the following questions. How do you accurately represent:

1. That you are not a direct air carrier, when that is not the case?
2. The actual quality or kind of service or type of aircraft?
3. The time specific details of the trip?
4. The safety record and certifications of pilots, aircraft or air carriers?
5. The amount of passenger insurance coverage?
6. The fees for air transportation or services in connection therewith?
7. Your relationship with relevant audit organizations?
8. The air carrier’s certification by an auditing organization?
9. The arranged agreement with the direct air carrier?