BRUSSELS, (Reuters):
THE EUROPEAN Union banned yesterday more than 90 airlines from operating in the 25-nation bloc, targeting mostly African carriers as it seeks to boost air security and reassure travellers that European skies are safe.
The executive European Commission approved the blacklist of banned carriers, including some 50 airlines from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 13 from Sierra Leone, 11 from Equatorial Guinea, six from Swaziland and three from Liberia.
Thailand's Phuket Airlines was also on the list, as were carriers from Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and North Korea.
COHERENT APPROACH
"The European Union now has a coherent approach to banning airlines," Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said in a statement. "This blacklist will keep dubious airlines out of Europe. It will also make sure that all airlines operating in Europe's sky meet the highest safety standards."
However, the list appeared to include few airlines used for holiday travel by Europeans. EU transport ministers asked the commission to draw up the blacklist after a spate of accidents with charter carriers.
PRE-EMPTING PROBLEMS
Barrot acknowledged that many airlines on the list did not fly to or within Europe at this time.
"Basically, we are trying to pre-empt problems that might arise," he told a news conference.
He said it was difficult to say how many airlines on the list had flown in Europe or used European airports.
The list would also help improve safety in Africa and other continents, he said.
All airlines were given an opportunity to defend themselves and can apply to be taken off the list once safety standards are met, the commission said.
The bans were based on criteria such as old or poorly maintained aircraft, failure to solve problems identified in inspections, and bad oversight by regulatory authorities. The ban applies to both cargo and passenger carriers.
"The commission advises people to avoid travelling with these airlines in other parts of the world," it said.
The list will be updated at least every three months and is meant to prevent one EU nation allowing a carrier to fly when it is banned in another EU state.
The push for a common list grew last year after four fatal crashes in August alone killed more than 330 people worldwide.
Barrot said other countries such as Japan may make use of the European blacklist.
"There may well be a knock-on effect," he said.
