EU airplane black list

“We have a series of important decisions for which I need your attention. First of all, regarding Russia and Albania. Both countries undertook quick operations for stopping the airlines that otherwise would have been banned to operate in the EU area. There are some important decisions that the Albanian authorities have undertaken for the entire fleet of the Albanian Airlines, and other limitations towards Belle Air”, declared Helen Keams, European Council Spokesperson for Transportation.

Two weeks ago, before deciding if Albania should be included in the “black list” or not, the Albanian Authorities reported to Brussels and vouched to undertake measures for avoiding any further ban of Albanian certified air companies. The EC concerns, as previously reported by Top Channel, are related not only with the safety standards, but also with the functioning of the Albanian authorities themselves, in the Civil Aviation Supervision Agency, which needs very qualified personnel.

“The Commission and the Committee of Aerial Safety were very concerned with the performance of the Albanian airlines and the respective authorities. Following the commitment of the Albanian authorities for full time employment of a qualified personnel, for securing constant supervision of the airlines that are under their regulating authority and accompanied by the implementation of strong measures – revoking the certification of Albanian Airlines and one airplane from Belle Air – the Aerial Safety Committee fulfilled unanimously the proposition of the Commission to be restraint towards any kind of measure. The member countries, especially Italy, have accepted to improve their constant cooperation with Albania by offering technical help, focusing on improving supervision.”

The so-called “black list” is updated every three months. This is the 18th list and includes 273 companies from 21 countries, such as Afghanistan, Congo, Indonesia, Mozambique, Philippine, Sudan and Kazakhstan, which are not allowed to operate in the EU. The same list counts 11 other companies from Iran, Madagascar, Jordan, Ghana, etc, which are allowed to operate only with some of the airplanes that fulfill the EU safety standards.

Prepared by Arta Tozaj

Top Channel