European Pilot Accused of Faking Credentials and Flying Passenger Jets for Months
A European pilot is under investigation after allegedly forging flight certificates and operating commercial passenger jets across Europe for several months without proper qualifications. The shocking claims, first reported by the Daily Mail and corroborated by several European aviation outlets, suggest the pilot posed as a captain despite being certified only as a co-pilot.
The pilot reportedly worked for Avion Express, a Lithuanian-based wet-lease carrier that provides aircraft and full flight crews to other airlines. The allegations indicate that the individual forged official documentation to appear qualified for command duties and subsequently operated flights carrying hundreds of passengers.
In a statement to aviation news outlet AeroTelegraph, Avion Express confirmed that it had launched an internal investigation into the matter. “The company recently became aware of unverified information about his work experience. An internal investigation was immediately launched and is currently ongoing,” an Avion Express spokesperson said. “Our recruitment process fully complies with all aviation safety and regulatory standards.”
Avion Express, which operates flights on behalf of several major European carriers, including Eurowings, Wizz Air, and other airlines under short- and long-term wet-lease contracts, said it is working with regulators to verify the pilot’s records and review its internal vetting procedures.
A Eurowings spokesperson told Germany’s BILD newspaper that “the investigation into the case is the responsibility of Avion Express and is not yet complete – we are currently waiting for the facts to be clarified.” The airline did not confirm whether the pilot in question had operated any of its flights.
Aviation Industry Reaction
The case has raised serious concerns within the European aviation industry about the potential for forged credentials to go undetected despite existing certification and background check systems. Aviation analysts noted that while such incidents are extremely rare, they highlight the need for tighter cross-border verification of pilot qualifications within the European Union’s shared regulatory framework.
“Airlines rely heavily on documentation and database checks, but this shows there can still be vulnerabilities when certifications are issued or validated across jurisdictions,” said one European aviation safety consultant, speaking to Aviation News Network.
Authorities in Lithuania and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have reportedly been notified of the case. If proven true, the pilot could face severe penalties, including criminal charges and a lifetime ban from holding any aviation license.
Ongoing Investigation
Avion Express emphasized that no safety incidents have been linked to the pilot’s flights. However, the company said it is cooperating with aviation authorities to ensure full transparency. “We take this matter extremely seriously,” the airline said in its statement. “Passenger safety is our highest priority, and we will take all necessary actions following the investigation’s outcome.”
As of now, the identity of the pilot and the duration of their unauthorized command role have not been disclosed. The investigation is ongoing, and European regulators are expected to release additional details once their review is complete.
If confirmed, the scandal would mark one of the most serious breaches of aviation safety oversight in recent years, raising pressing questions about certification integrity and the robustness of Europe’s pilot verification systems.
Related News: https://airguide.info/?s=Eurowings, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, yahoo.com, AeroTelegraph, Daily Mail