A British Airways Pilot has been jailed after false claims were found on his CV in efforts to secure a job.

Craig Butfoy, from Kent, England, has been charged guilty of four fraud charges after making false claims to land a job at BA CityFlyer and Stobart Air. On Monday, Butfoy was given a 12-month prison sentence at Snaresbrook Crown Court, East London, after pleading guilty, according to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The British Airways pilot was jailed after an investigation proved that false details and altered entries were found in his flight logbook. Butfoy continued to fly for British Airways and Stobart Air between April 2016 and March 2018. Stobart Air was Aer Lingus’s regional carrier in Ireland which collapsed last year due to financial strain during the pandemic.

Details outlined in court documents included an allegation Butfoy falsely claimed to have flown 1,610 hours as a captain in a job application submitted to BA CityFlyer. According to the aviation regulator, Butfoy provided false information on his CV, namely that he held a private pilot’s license since 1998. The 49-year-old pilot also fabricated documents, including a training course certificate.

In relation to the nature of the verdict, Jonathan Spence, general counsel at the CAA, said: “The Civil Aviation Authority’s prosecution and the sentence imposed show that offenses of this kind are taken very seriously by the Civil Aviation Authority and the courts.

“Pilot integrity is at the heart of aviation safety and we will take all steps necessary to maintain that position.” he continued.

Following the incident, British Airways noted in a statement: “The safety of our customers and crew is always our priority, and the fully-qualified pilot was suspended and an investigation launched as soon as BA CityFlyer became aware of discrepancies in his employment record. At no point was there any risk to customers or colleagues.”

With the safety of all passengers being the utmost priority, it is no surprise that such a penalty was issued which appropriately led to jail time for this fraudulent pilot.