A major scandal has shaken Europe’s aviation industry. A co-pilot working for Lithuania-based Avion Express has allegedly served as a captain pilot using forged documents. The incident is said to have endangered the safety of hundreds of passengers.
According to reports, the pilot, identified by the initials L. A. B., was actually only a First Officer but allegedly used fake certificates to be promoted to the position of captain pilot.
Avion Express: “The Pilot’s Flights Have Been Verified”
It has been reported that Avion Express has confirmed claims that the pilot operated flights across Europe carrying hundreds of passengers.
It is also alleged that the pilot had previously served as a First Officer with Indonesia’s national airline, Garuda Indonesia.
The revelation of the incident has sparked serious concerns about aviation safety standards in Europe.
Eurowings Possibility on the Agenda
What makes the scandal even more striking is the claim that the pilot may have also flown on behalf of Lufthansa’s subsidiary, Eurowings.
The Cologne-based airline has not yet confirmed whether the pilot worked for them.
A Eurowings spokesperson told the German newspaper Bild:
“The investigation of the incident belongs to Avion Express, and the process has not yet been completed. We are currently awaiting clarification.”
About Avion Express
Avion Express is an airline headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, operating under the wet-lease model.
It provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) services to many major airlines such as LOT Polish Airlines, easyJet, and SunExpress.
The company operates a fleet of more than 50 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft and conducts operations worldwide.
Investigation Launched
Avion Express announced that it had launched an internal investigation after discovering suspicious information about the pilot’s background.
A company spokesperson stated:
“We recently obtained unverified information regarding the pilot’s professional experience. An internal investigation was immediately initiated and is still ongoing.”
Authorities note that the matter may not remain limited to Avion Express’s internal processes and could also be reviewed by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
