US dep’t reviewing Dynamic’s fitness for air transport

-puts stay on air certificates after deficient filings, customer complaints

The air transportation fitness of Dynamic Airways is being reviewed by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), following the airline’s submission of incomplete information to the agency as well as complaints by customers.

As a result, the DOT has put a stay on the effectiveness of certificates issued to the airline authorising it to engage in interstate scheduled air transportation of persons, property and mail, and foreign scheduled air transportation of persons, property and mail between New York and Georgetown, Guyana, and between Los Angeles, California and Anchorage, Alaska on one hand and Changsha and Jinan, People’s Republic of China, on the other.

According to the August 10, 2016 order, which was seen by this newspaper, the stay would cover a period of 30 days, during which time the airline would be provided with the opportunity to address concerns about its fitness.

According to the DOT document, certificates were issued to Dynamic International Airways (DIA) to engage in air transportation operations on the condition of the submission of further information. The certificates would become effective six business days after the Department received information, such as the airline’s approved certification by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA); evidence of liability insurance coverage; information on any changes that might have occurred following the DOT’s order deeming the airline fit; and evidence that the airline had adequate funds available to commence its operations.

In response to the Department’s reporting requirements, the airline, on December 30, 2015, January 6, January 12, February 9, May 20, June 13, and June 24, 2016, provided information reflecting changes in its key personnel and updated compliance information, the document said.

It went on to state that on August 3, 2016, the airline provided additional information, updating its fitness information to make its scheduled passenger certificate authority effective. In the update, the company indicated its intent to conducted scheduled service on additional routes. These routes were between New York, New York and Caracas, Venezuela; between New York, New York and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic; between New York, New York and Cancun, Mexico; between Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Beijing, China; and between Saipan and Hangzhou, China.

However, according to the DOT, a cursory review was conducted and found that the material submitted was insufficient. Additional time was also needed to “fully evaluate DIA’s continued fitness to engage in air transportation,” it added. The need for evaluation of the airline’s fitness was also sparked by consumer complaints alleging violations by it of the DOT’s public charter rule.

“With respect to the material provided to make DIA’s authority effective, we must point out that while the air carrier provided evidence that it had been certificated by the FAA to engage in foreign scheduled operations, the air carrier did not provide the list of specific airports authorised by the FAA where it may conduct scheduled operations,” it said. In fact, DOT said, its review showed that DIA was not authorised to operate at any airport in China.

The DOT further accused the company of delinquency in filing required reports, including semi-annual financial reports, due February 10, and quarterly financial reports, due May 10.

“Under these circumstances, we have decided to stay the effectiveness of DIA’s certificate for 30 days to provide DIA an opportunity to provide the complete information to make its authority effective and to adequately address the concerns raised about its continued fitness,” the DOT said.