Manila (AsiaNews/agencies)-The European Union has (partially) removed the ban on entry into its territory of planes flying the Philippine flag, after civil aviation authorities in Manila solved some problems regarding the safety of flights. Analysts and experts point out that removal of this obstacle can facilitate a "significant flow" of tourists and an increase of trade between Brussels and Southeast Asian nation.
Guy Ledoux, Eu Ambassador in Manila, confirms that the decision - which will take effect tomorrow - will enable aircraft of Philippine Airlines to resume flights, while the need to strengthen the security measures for other companies remains, such as Cebu Pacific Air.
The Philippine Airlines, which has just bought a new long-range Airbus, intends to restore connecting flights with London, Paris, Rome and Amsterdam from September, as explained by the company's President Ramon Ang. Instead Cebu Pacific, a low cost carrier, has improved its safety control levels but a recent accident involving one of its aircraft in Davao city has shown that "some weaknesses" still persist.
Philippine authorities have welcomed the decision by the European Union. Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said it will "boost tourism, enhance competitiveness and facilitate the entry of investments from the eurozone." Manila now expects a similar decision to be taken by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. agency that deals with the safety of flights in the country.
The European Commission had banned the Philippine flights in March 2010, for failure to comply with international safety standards. It is important to underline the commitment of the Philippine authorities in the fight against corruption, one of the endemic ills of society but which has registered some "significant" progress in recent years. In the past, according to some reports, licenses to fly were granted to flight students who had not even passed the skill tests.