The European Union has just recently banned all airlines from Sudan and the Philippines from its airspace. This is all part of an effort to improve safety standards in member states. This decision follows consultation with the International Civil Aviation Organization and sees the total number of countries on the blacklist rise to 17.

Siim Kallas, European Union Commission vice president responsible for Transport, said that safety comes first. They are ready to support countries that need to build up technical and administrative capacity to guarantee the necessary standards in civil aviation. They can no longer accept any airlines that try to fly into the European Union if they do not fully comply with international safety standards.

The European Union, when outlining their reasoning behind the ban, explained an operating ban had been placed on all operations of Sudanese air carriers due to poor safety performance of the civil aviation authority in the country. In regard to the Philippines, the Commission acknowledge recent efforts by authorities to reform the civil aviation system and steps have been taken to address safety.

In particular, measures have been taken by two carriers, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Airlines, to ensure safety of operations. However, in view of the significant safety concerns identified by the ICAO in relation to the authorities, the Commission followed the principle of precaution and imposed an operating ban on all air carries licensed in the Philippines.

Philippine Airlines said that, despite the unfortunate inclusion of PAL and all other local carries in the European Union blacklist, PAL would like to assure the riding public that safety remains their top concern. They went on to say that it has always been their policy to ensure that their passengers fly with the full assurance of safety and comfort.