Currently, only budget airline Cebu Pacific and flag carrier Philippine Airlines are allowed to fly in European airspace, but more local airlines may soon be joining the two if things go to plan.
A Philippine Airlines jet at NAIA
According to Beda Badiola, head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Flight Standards and Inspectorate Service, a delegation of the European Union is currently undertaking a review regarding the safety standards of local airlines such as Air Asia Inc, Air Asia Zest, Air Philippines Corp, Magnum Air (Skyjet Inc), Island Aviation Inc, Southeast Asian Airlines (Tiger Airways) and Southeast Asian Airlines International Inc. If things go well, then these carriers would be allowed to fly to European destinations.
“Initially, the EU delegation has assessed that the blacklisted companies have been satisfactorily complying with regulations imposed by CAAP, the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation, and the International Civil Aviation Standards,” said Badiola, adding, “We hope they will be taken out of the European ban. This will be good for Philippine tourism. CAAP wants all Philippines carriers to be safe according to international standards”.
The five man team from Europe is headed by EU Ambassador to the Philippines Guy Ledoux, and is looking into any safety improvements the CAAP and affected airlines have undertaken which may allow for these carriers to be removed from the blacklist. Until now, things seem to be looking good, so very soon you may be able to choose from seven more airlines for your trip to Europe.
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines
