EU removes all Indonesian airlines from its banned list

The European Union has removed all Indonesian airlines from its safety blacklist.

Acknowledging the steps taken to improve safety standards, The EU directive now gives any carrier in Indonesia the opportunity to apply to fly routes to Europe.

However, it makes little difference as the only Indonesian airlines with the financial clout and aircraft to actually fly long haul had already been removed from the blacklist progressively over the past few years.

Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is the only one currently flying to the EU.

All airlines were banned back in 2007 after a spate of accidents and since then Garuda and its budget arm Citilink, and others including AirAsia Indonesia and Lion Air were gradually removed from the blacklist.

The decision followed an assessment visit by EU officials earlier this year.

EU commissioner for transport Violeta Bulc said: “I am particularly glad that after years of work, we are today able to clear all air carriers from Indonesia. It shows that hard work and close co-operation pay off.” said

In a recent assessment late last year, the International Civil Aviation Organisation upgraded Indonesia’s safety ranking from 151 to 55.

source: Travel Mole