The National Business Aviation Association has lost its fight to keep a list of aircraft tail numbers private following a US court ruling.
The NBAA filed a lawsuit in December 2008 to prevent the Federal Aviation Administration from releasing the "Block List" - aircraft hidden from the public view - to investigative journalism company ProPublica. This followed a freedom of information request by the "public-interest" website.
ProPublica's actions came soon after the "Big Three" US automakers hit the headlines for using their corporate jets to travel to Washington DC to ask for taxpayer bailouts.
The NBAA says the "Block List" provided privacy to the owner and anyone travelling on a blocked list aircraft. It also prevented disclosure of business trips that could affect stock prices or give competitors an edge about potential deals.
The NBAA "has long believed that security and other imperatives make it absolutely essential to protect our members' aircraft and flight information from being made widely available, which is why we created the BARR [Blocked Aircraft Registration Request] programme over a decade ago", says Bob Lamond, NBAA director, air traffic services and infrastructure.
"Unfortunately, and in spite of our work to uphold the BARR programme through every legal avenue available, the court has ruled the above information cannot remain permanently sealed," Lamond says.
The NBAA says the court's decision is "unwise", but it is unlikely to appeal.
Source: Flight International
