But the good news is they don't hassle you much going through security, because there isn't any.
Posted on 03/22/2006 10:27:22 AM PST by Dog Gone
BRUSSELS - The European Union banned on Wednesday 92 airlines from operating in the 25-nation bloc, targeting mostly African carriers as it tries to boost air security and reassure travelers that European skies are safe.
The executive European Commission approved the blacklist, which includes 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 .
"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."
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 involving charter carriers.
Barrot acknowledged that many airlines on the list did not at present fly to or within Europe. "Basically, we are trying to preempt problems that might arise," he told a news conference.
He said it was hard to say how many airlines on the list had flown in Europe or used European airports, but said the list would help improve safety in Africa and other continents.
All the airlines listed 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 Commission advises people to avoid traveling with these airlines in other parts of the world," it said.
Global airlines body IATA said a blacklist ignored the real problem of varying standards worldwide.
"A blacklist is one approach to safety but it is not the answer," the group said in a statement. "It doesn‘t address the problem of bringing less safe airlines up to standard."
EU Development Commissioner Louis Michel told reporters he would consider helping companies in developing countries to upgrade their operations to standard security levels.
The EU 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.
A separate list imposes restrictions on operations in the EU by three airlines, such as banning a type of aircraft.
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 adopt the European blacklist. "There may well be a knock-on effect."
The blacklist is one of several measures the EU is taking to improve air safety. Recent proposals by the European Commission would give the European Aviation Safety Agency new powers to control air operations and pilots‘ licenses, and oversight of third-country airlines operating in the bloc.
"11 from Equatorial Guinea,"
Equatorial Guinea has 11 international airlines? Who knew?
If the pilot has to get out of the cockpit and spin the propeller by hand before taking off, they won't be allowed.
Probably one plane per company.
Yes, I believe 7 of them are using the new Ford Trimotor with the turboprop engines.
LOL
There goes my Air Swazi package vacation in Luxembourg this summer.
And what about 30 from the Congo?
Blacklisting African carriers? Racially-tinged innuendo or unintentional pun? (just kidding)...
Oh well, Phuket. We'll just reschedule.
But they still go in and out of the cockpit while in the air over the EU. Or at least they were doing in last year when I flew on four flights in the EU.
They probably didn't buy airbus.
It takes real balls to fly an airline named Phuket.
The EU agrees with you 100%! :-)
50 airlines from the Democratic Republic of Congo?
Seems like a real stretch to call a one aircraft company an airline.
Wouldn't it be more useful to list the countries that have been banned? Even if it's just a half a dozen it's useful information...
50 airlines in the Congo!!
Is each air-worthy plane defined as its own airline?
I was thinking that same thing for Congo. 50 airlines??
LOL!!! I can't stop laughing at what you wrote!
But the good news is they don't hassle you much going through security, because there isn't any.
Perhaps you're being too generous.
I have it on good authority that at least 30 of the 50 airlines share the same plane.
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