The FINANCIAL — PAL Express welcomes the European Union’s decision allowing the carrier to operate flights to Europe after meeting international air safety standards.
PALex was among seven operators in the Philippines given the green light recently by the EU, which lifted the ban on flag carrier Philippine Airlines in 2013, according to PAL.
In a press conference held on June 28 at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines headquarters in Pasay City, EU Charge d’ Affaires in the Philippines Lubomir Frebort said, “This is truly breaking news since it is the first time that the entire aviation sector of one country is removed from the European Air Safety List.”
PALex President Bonifacio Sam, who was present during the news conference, told members of the media, “The lifting of the EU ban on PAL Express will be beneficial to the expansion program of the airline. This is an affirmation of the airline’s adherence to international aviation safety standards.”
Last March 10, 2015, PAL express attended a technical meeting with the European Commission in Brussels, providing an overview on the company’s Safety Management and Quality Management System.
On April 17, technical experts from the EU assessment team visited the country to look into key areas of PALex operations – Safety Management System, Quality Management System and Airworthiness Management. Eight observations were raised and all were considered as enhancements of existing practices.
The EU team was able to confirm that CAAP has the capability to implement and enforce the relevant safety standards including applicable international safety regulations and the Philippines Civil Aviation Regulations (PCAR).
EU also concluded that CAAP has the capability to detect any significant safety risk within an air carrier and act in an effective manner to contain such risk.
The on-site visit was followed by an EU Air Safety committee hearing in Brussels, attended by officials of CAAP and several carriers, including PAL Express.
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