| Author (Person) | Banks, Martin |
|---|---|
| Series Title | European Voice |
| Series Details | Vol.10, No.3, 29.1.04 |
| Publication Date | 29/01/2004 |
| Content Type | News |
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By Martin Banks Date: 29/01/04 AN AGREEMENT that will pave the way for a blacklist of unsafe EU airlines has been welcomed as a victory for passengers. This week's conciliation deal, between the European Commission, Council of Ministers and MEPs, means the Union will be able to name and ban airlines causing concern. It needs the final approval of MEPs, probably next month, but that is not expected to present an obstacle. The issue has been under the spotlight since a plane operated by Flash Airlines plunged into the Red Sea on 3 January, killing 148 mostly French tourists. It later emerged that Switzerland had banned the aircraft on safety grounds in 2002. Under the new regulations, any EU member state which finds a plane or company dangerous will be able to alert the Commission. If the executive recommends an EU-wide ban to the Council, it is believed the airline's name would be made public at this stage, even if no ban was agreed. An initial report will be compiled by the end of 2004. MEPs have long been pressing for the results of checks on airlines to be made public but member states did not immediately welcome the idea. Flemish MEP Nelly Maes, leader of the European Free Alliance group and Parliament's rapporteur on the safety of foreign planes, welcomed the deal but criticized the EU for its reluctance to act before an accident. She said: "I'm delighted that after all this time we've finally been able to conclude this matter with a deal that really is an important victory for airline passengers. "The Flash accident will mean huge progress in the field of air safety as the Prestige did in the field of marine safety." |
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| Source Link | http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
