THE successor airline to Helios, ajet yesterday hit back at reports that it ran the risk of being placed on the EU’s list of banned air carriers.
Last week Politis leaked a document indicating that EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency) voiced grave concerns with Cyprus’ progress in air safety matters.
On July 19 the European Commission sent a letter to Civil Aviation, asking that the shortcomings with air safety be urgently addressed. Cypriot authorities responded on August 4, but their arguments were not considered satisfactory.
EASA officials then carried out an on-site inspection in Cyprus to review the status on the island. In a report compiled shortly after, they concluded that Civil Aviation had still failed to comply with around two-thirds of EASA’s recommendations.
The document, entitled “Mission Report,” reads:
“The report of a second follow-up visit by EASA to Cyprus on August 7-9, shows that 19 (2/3) of the previous findings are still open – all of which – directly concern the performance of the Cyprus-CAA. CAA Cyprus shows that it does not comply not only with EC rules but also with JAA requirements (JAR-OPS and JAR -FCL part of – future EU OPS).
“With regard to ajet (ex-Helios), the August-report continues to display very worrying safety deficiencies, prompting EASA to again emphasis the very urgent need for corrective actions to be taken, and for CAA Cyprus to take the necessary measures commensurate with its responsibility for the safety oversight of this carrier.”
It then featured a warning from Daniel Calleja Crespo, the European Commission’s Director of Air Transport.
“M. Calleja explained that in these circumstances, unless the COM [European Commission] received urgently clear proof of progress having been made in the rectification of these serious safety issues, the COM would proceed with:
– Pursuing infraction procedures vis-?-vis Cyprus;
– Submit the case of ajet to the attention of the next Air Safety Committee meeting (October) for possible inclusion in the EC list of banned air carriers (‘blacklist’).”
Although the wording was sinister, Civil Aviation has played the matter down; in a statement released over the weekend, it said the “open findings” referred to by EASA did not constitute flagrant violations of air safety standards.
The Mail yesterday contacted EASA’s offices in Germany for more details, but was referred to the European Commission.
It was not possible to get an immediate comment from the Commission’s Air Transport Department.
The contact at EASA did confirm, however, that no European air carrier is currently on the blacklist. The list includes some 90 airlines from African countries, such as the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and others such as Kazakhstan, Kyrghyzstan and Afghanistan.
Back in Cyprus, ajet yesterday said it would be demanding from EASA that it withdraw its comments.
The airline also wants the organisation to investigate how the leak occurred in the first place.
“Such statements are entirely misleading, may constitute libel, are danger-mongering and clearly fabrications aimed at influencing and discouraging the public from flying,” read ajet’s statement.
According to the company, during a surprise inspection last May EASA officials made “minor observations relating mostly to documentation. It is worth mentioning that none of their observations concerned flight safety issues.”
ajet said it was taking steps to become the first Cypriot airline to fully comply with IATA (International Air Transport Association) safety standards, which are stricter than those required by JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities).
“To ajet, passenger safety is paramount. It is the cornerstone of our activities,” concluded the statement.
Mission Report
ECAC 55th DGCA Special Meeting
Wroclaw, 31.08 – 02.09.2006
Cyprus
In the presence of P. Goudou (EASA), the Commission met with Mr. L. Leonidou (Director General Civil Aviation – Cyprus)
M. Calleja expressed the serious preoccupation of the COM both with regard to the Cypriot carrier- A-Jet (ex-Helios) as well as with the CAA of Cyprus itself, going on to highlight the following points:
– Following in-depth safety related analysis of the very preoccupying situation on both accounts (CAA and Helios/A-Jet) emanating from the JAA-EASA Joint Standardisation inspections carried out in October 2005 and May 2006 (first follow-up) respectively, the COM had sent a warning letter (before a formal notice) on 19 July 2006 asking strongly for resolution and closure of all findings on all accounts (civil aviation authority and Helios/A Jet). Cyprus authorities replied on 4 August 2006, which reply, the COM does not consider adequate in addressing any of the points raised in its original letter of 19 July.
– The report of a second follow-up visit by EASA to Cyprus on 7-9 August, shows that 19 (2/3) of the previous findings are still open – all of which – directly concern the performance of the Cyprus-CAA. CAA Cyprus shows that it does not comply not only with EC rules but also with JAA requirements (JAR-OPS and JAR -FCL part of – future EU OPS).
– With regard to A-Jet (ex-Helios), the August-report continues to display very worrying safety deficiencies, prompting EASA to again emphasis the very urgent need for corrective actions to be taken, and for CAA Cyprus to take the necessary measures commensurate with its responsibility for the safety oversight of this carrier.
M. Calleja explained that in these circumstances, unless the COM received urgently clear proof of progress having been made in the rectification of these serious safety issues, the COM would proceed with:
– Pursuing infraction procedures vis-?-vis Cyprus;
– Submit the case of A-Jet to the attention of the next Air Safety Committee meeting (October) for possible inclusion in the EC list of banned air carriers (‘blacklist’).
