Air Transport

European regulators have recommended that aviation safeguard clauses, which have been imposed on Bulgaria since 2006, should be lifted.

Towards the end of 2006 the European Commission invoked a ‘safeguard’ clause limiting Bulgaria’s access to the European internal air transport market, despite the country’s accession to the European Union last year.

Checks have since been performed by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the EC proposed on 22 July that the restrictions should be lifted.

The EC says: “The Commission is transmitting today to the Council a proposal to lift the safeguard clauses imposed on Bulgaria in the area of aviation.

“The issue is now expected to be on the agenda of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 25 July. Subject to the Council’s observations, the Commission would expect to be in a position to take a formal decision in early September to lift the clause.”

The restrictions were imposed after shortcomings were identified in Bulgaria’s civil aviation oversight, but Bulgaria’s Government says it has since made improvements to meet EC requirements.

Source: flightglobal.com's sister premium news site Air Transport Intelligence news