Pilots cleared of faking credentials

No pilots have been found to have faked or lied on their resumes following recent aviation safety checks, a spokesman of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said Wednesday.

The spokesman made the comment following media reports that more than 200 pilots employed by Chinese commercial airlines had provided fake information on their CVs between 2008 and 2009.

The spokesman told the Xinhua News Agency that the CAAC launched an investigation into pilots' CVs in April 2008, and found that 192 pilots had provided fake credentials.

The authorities said they recently made the finding public to remind industry insiders of the importance of aviation safety.

Some of the pilots in question had their licenses revoked, while others were asked to undergo training or had their aviation hours slashed by half, the spokesman said.

He said the safety risks caused by fake credentials have now been removed, and added that authorities will take tough measures against employees who falsify qualifications and will handle such matters in accordance with the law.

No instances of fake credentials were found following the recent launch of safety checks.