The Air Charter Association is promoting Fly Legal Day ahead of Wednesday 21 January 2026 as part of its ongoing campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of illegal charter flights.

The date marks the seventh anniversary of the air tragedy in which Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot lost their lives while travelling on an illegal charter flight. In memory of the accident and to continue widening awareness and reducing illegal charter activity, the association designated 21 January as Fly Legal Day.

The association is calling on members associations and air charter industry colleagues to take part in the online campaign on 21 January to promote Fly Legal Day and support efforts to raise awareness of the risks associated with illegal charter. The campaign also aims to educate both the industry and the public to help prevent future air tragedies.

Glenn Hogben chief executive at The Air Charter Association says: “The ACA’s Fly Legal Day campaign is vital to raising awareness of the dangers posed by illegal charter flights. We encourage all members and industry colleagues to join us in sharing this important message. Use it… an accredited ACA broker; Check it… licensed aircraft and crew; Report it… if you suspect it is illegal! Avoid illegal charter flights; know what is legal and fly safe every day.”

The association operates a reporting mechanism on its website allowing air charter professionals and members of the public to report suspected illegal charter activity. Information received is passed directly to the relevant civil aviation authority. In 2025 this process led to two suspected illegal charter flights being prevented.

An illegal charter involves an unlicensed aircraft operator accepting payment without holding the required Air Operator Certificate or Air Carrier Certificate. Such operators are not subject to the regulatory standards covering maintenance crew training and operational oversight that are designed to ensure passenger safety.