EU Lifts Ban on Cebu Pacific

MANILA–The European Commission (EU) announced on Thursday the lifting of its ban on Cebu Pacific Airlines. This has been the 23rd time Eurpoean Union (EU) has upated its air safety list.

After the lifting of ban on Philippine Airlines last November 2012, EU has decided to remove Cebu Pacific on its list which allows the airline to fly to the EU.

“When countries do what it takes to ensure the safety of their aviation industry, they get recognition for their efforts,” Silim Kallas, Commission Vice-President said.

The announcement is considered ‘a red letter day’ for EU-Philippine economic relations which links two prolific continents in the world. This would establish the presence in the European continent of two major Philippine carriers in the future.

However, Lance Gokongwei, Cebu Pacific President & CEO has not yet disclosed the details as to what routes will the Cebu Pacific fly to in Europe.

The decision was made after gathering a unanimous opinion from each of the 28 member states of the Union, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on March 25 to 27, 2014.

“We welcome this development, a testament to Cebu Pacific’s commitment to safety and full compliance with international aviation safety standards. This would not have been possible without the support of the Philippine government, and especially the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,” Gokongwei remarked. By Jade D. Miguel (PNA)