All airlines from the Philippines may now fly into Europe as the European Union has taken seven Philippine carriers off its aviation safety blacklist.
William Hotchkiss III, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced the lifting of the ban at a news conference Thursday.
“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,” said Lubomir Frebort, the EU charge d’affaires in the Philippines.
The decision came after a five-man EU safety assessment team gave a positive review of the airlines following a safety audit in April.
The seven airlines stricken off the blacklist were Air Asia, Inc.; Air Asia Zest; Air Philippines Corporation; Island Aviation, Inc.; Magnum Air; South East Asian Airlines; and South East Asian Airlines International, Inc.
Frebort said the lifting of the ban would allow and encourage Europeans to tap the services of the Philippine carriers when traveling to the Philippines or other foreign destinations.
