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11-Jul-2013 11:00 AM

European Commission updates the EU air safety list; Philippine Airlines to resume EU operations

European Commission updated (10-Jul-2013) the European list of airlines subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, better known as "the EU air safety list", as follows:

  • Philippines: Taking into account the improved safety oversight provided by the competent authorities of the Philippines, and the ability of Philippine Airlines to ensure effective compliance with relevant aviation safety regulations, and following an on-site safety assessment visit in Jun-2013, it was decided to lift the ban affecting this carrier registered in the Philippines. For all other carriers registered in the Philippines the ban remains;
  • Venezuela: Conviasa was also removed from the EU air safety list, following the successful resolution of the serious safety deficiencies which led to its ban from EU skies in Apr-2012;
  • Mauritania: In Dec-2012, Mauritania became the first country to be fully removed from the EU air safety list, where it was added in 2010. The improvements that led to this decision were verified during an on-site safety assessment visit conducted by the Commission in Apr-2013;
  • Libya: Progress was noted by the Committee, but the Libyan civil aviation authorities agreed to maintain the voluntary restrictions applicable to all airlines licensed in Libya. This voluntary restriction excludes Libyan airlines from operating into the EU until when they will be fully recertified in accordance with international safety standards. The on-going implementation of these measures will remain under close monitoring by the Commission and the EU Air Safety Committee;
  • Further updates to the EU air safety list were due to the removal of some airlines that ceased to exist and the addition of new ones recently created in a number of banned countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Mozambique, Sudan and the Philippines. [more - original PR - EC] [more - original PR - PAL]

European Commission: "The EU air safety list was created for the protection of European skies and citizens, but it can also serve as a wake-up call to countries and airlines in need to get their safety house back in order. Today we confirmed our willingness to remove countries and airlines from the list if they show real commitment and capacity to implement international safety standards in a sustainable manner. Beside Philippines, Venezuela and Mauritania, good signs of progress are also coming from a number of other African countries." Siim Kallas, Commission Vice-President responsible for transport. Source: European Commission, 10-Jul-2013.

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