No Changes for Pilots, Major Updates for Platforms
While the conditions for pilots conducting cost-sharing flights remain unchanged (and the provisions of section 3 of the original circular still apply), the new amendment introduces clear rules for intermediaries who promote or organise such flights through public offerings.
The Authority now distinguishes between a pilot who simply shares costs with fellow passengers and an entity that actively promotes these flights to the general public. This area was previously a regulatory grey area in the Czech Republic, often raising questions about compliance with aviation legislation and the rules governing commercial transport.
Goal: Greater Transparency and Legal Certainty
According to the CAA, the change aims to ensure that cost-shared flights adhere strictly to their original purpose: non-commercial operations where the pilot and passengers only share the direct costs of a specific flight. Intermediaries are now required to adapt their communication and offerings to prevent any confusion with commercial air transport.
The Authority is responding to a recent trend across Europe of a growing number of platforms that facilitate shared flights, similar to car ride-sharing services. The measure is designed to prevent such activities from effectively bypassing regulations for commercial flights.
Transition Period Until End of 2025
Platforms and other entities that facilitate the offering of cost-shared flights have until 31 December 2025 to adjust their communication and processes. After this date, all offerings must comply with the new CAA requirements.
What Do the Changes Mean for Pilots?
For PPL or LAPL holders who occasionally want to share flight costs with passengers, nothing changes:
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The pilot must not make a profit from the flight.
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Passengers must not pay more than their pro-rata share of the direct costs.
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The flight must be non-commercial in nature.
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The flight must be conducted on the pilot’s own initiative.
These fundamental rules remain in force; the new regulations simply provide a clearer framework for the environment in which these flights are offered to the public.
Summary
Cost-shared flights remain a permitted activity for private pilots, but the platforms that publish and offer them to the public now face clearer regulatory obligations. The goal of this measure is to prevent illegal commercial transport and enhance legal certainty in the area of cost-sharing.
The CAA document is available HERE.
Source: Czech CAA
