9 Aug 2017

Hamilton company charged over North Korea sanctions breach

3:40 pm on 9 August 2017

Customs has filed charges against a local aircraft company for breaching United Nations sanctions imposed on North Korea.

The plane, a P-750 XSTOL manufactured by Pacific Aerospace, was sold to China but was spotted last week by the Aviation Week website at North Korea's first airshow.

The plane, a P-750 XSTOL manufactured by Pacific Aerospace, was sold to China but was spotted at a North Korean airshow. Photo: Screenshot / Pacific Aerospace

Last year the Hamilton-based company Pacific Aerospace sold a 10-seater plane to a Chinese firm, FreeSky Aviation.

In September, the plane was spotted flying in a North Korean airshow - despite UN trade sanctions banning many exports to North Korea due to its nuclear weapons programme.

Today Customs said Pacific Aerospace would be charged for three breaches of the sanctions, with the most serious carrying a maximum fine of $100,000.