FAA lodges penalty against Vieques Air Link for flying with unqualified pilots

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $134,475 civil penalty against Vieques Air Link for allegedly conducting passenger flights with unqualified pilots.

The FAA alleges that Puerto Rico-based Vieques Air Link conducted 11 commuter flights between July and August 2022 using pilots without the appropriate certificates and licenses to operate the airline’s fleet of twin-engine Britten-Norman aircraft.

Founded in 1965, Vieques Air Link runs more than 30 daily flights to several cities in the ‘big island’ of Puerto Rico, Culebra and the US and British Virgin Islands.

According to its website, Vieques Air Link is FAA certified and employs ‘a highly qualified group of pilots.’

The carrier’s fleet of 10 aircraft includes three Cessna Caravans, five Britten-Norman Islanders and two Britten-Norman Trislanders.

Vieques Air Link has 30 days to respond to the FAA’s proposal.