Swift Air Pilots Reportedly Did Not Have Specialized Training Required By The Agency

A recent change in FARs spelled the cancellation of a flight from Chicago to Belgrade late last week because pilots for the charter airline Swift Air did hot have specialized training required by the FAA for security reasons. The airline received notification of the requirements about 15 minutes before the flight was scheduled to depart.

Swift Air says it initiated the cancellations of its own accord. On its website, the airline says "Swift Air was presented information by the FAA concerning training requirements that we are currently reviewing. During this process, Swift Air management decided that voluntary suspension was in the best interest of our customers and Swift. Even though the FAA had previously approved the training manuals, Swift Air will continue to answer, address and satisfy by internal review, the questions that have been raised by the FAA and fully comply with the inquiry.

"Contrary to any other reports, this measure was initiated by Swift Air Management. Swift Air will be delivering updated manuals to the FAA on Monday June 20, 2011. While we are confident this situation will be resolved soon, a timetable is not currently available. We sincerely regret any inconvenience to our clients affected by this action."

The Serbian news site emg.rs reports that the flight was to have been the first direct service from the U.S. to Belgrade since it was terminated in 1992. The new rules were put into place in January of this year. erg.rs indicates that the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate said through a spokesperson that the route to be flown by Swift Air had been approved by the Serbian government for the next six months.

FMI: www.flyswiftair.com