Romanian airline Blue Air Aviation has been fined £40,000 after pleading guilty to six offences relating to Passenger Locator Forms and Covid-19 tests.
This was the first prosecution of an airline by the Civil Aviation Authority under the Covid Enforcement Regulations.
The prosecution and fine follows Blue Air Aviation receiving fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for the breaches of Covid-19 requirements, which they did not pay or seek to resolve with the CAA.
Five of the offences concern Blue Air Aviation failing to ensure that passengers arriving at Heathrow had completed the required Passenger Locator Form.
The sixth offence concerns the operator failing to ensure an arriving passenger had the required evidence showing that they had completed a pre-departure Covid test.
The fine was issued following a sentencing hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court today (22 February 22).
Paul Smith, CAA consumer director, said: “We welcome the court’s decision to fine Blue Air Aviation over breaches of the Covid Enforcement Regulations.
“While we generally observe high levels of compliance from airlines against the regulations, it is important for consumer confidence and public health that failures to follow the requirements are dealt with appropriately.
“It is important that airlines including Blue Air continue to engage with us going forward. The UK Civil Aviation Authority will always look to prosecute breaches of compliance where necessary.”
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