Operation “Blind Flight” sees searches in various parts of country
Three people have been arrested today on suspicion of participating in a scheme to supply Portugal’s flag carrier TAP, as well as other airlines, with aircraft parts that did not meet the required standards.
“The case involves suspicions of supplying aeronautical parts and components to air transport companies and their maintenance units, accompanied by certification documentation that is suspected of having been forged.
“These components, classified as “Suspected Unapproved Parts”, do not comply with the requirements of the original manufacturers,” the PJ said in a statement.
The scheme was reported in 2023 by another airline involved in the investigation, “following the detection, in its supply chains, of uncertified components intended to be installed in aircraft engines during maintenance operations,” the statement expains
Before filing a complaint, the same company reported the situation to air safety authorities, “thus contributing to the mitigation of any risks and to the rapid intervention of airport security authorities at international level”.
The three people detained in Operation “Voo Cego” (Blind Flight) face charges of aggravated fraud, document forgery, malicious mismanagement, endangering air transport safety, money laundering, passive corruption, corruption to the detriment of international trade and aggravated tax fraud.
A total of 10 search warrants were executed today in the Lisbon area, south of the Tejo river, the Alentejo, the Algarve and the interior of the country.
The suspects will be brought before a court for questioning before bail measures are decided.
Source: LUSA
