The European Commission (EC) on Wednesay assured the Philippines that it would support the country in its efforts to address air safety concerns following a decision by the European Union (EU) to “ban all air carriers certified in the Philippines from entering EU airspace.”

The European Union consists of 27 member-states.

“The Commission confirmed that it is ready to support the efforts of the Philippines wherever possible, and is ready to examine any information demonstrating progress in the implementation of corrective actions and compliance with international safety standards,” the EU said in a statement last Wednesday.

It said the support could include an expert visit to review the safety performance of the major operators and the oversight exercised by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), with a view to reconsidering the operating ban in the near future.

EU Ambassador to the Philippines Alistair MacDonald said, “The European Commission has been in discussion on these matters with the CAAP since April, 2008, and acknowledges the recent efforts launched by the CAAP to reform the civil aviation system in the Philippines and the steps undertaken to address the safety deficiencies reported by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Commission also recognizes the measures taken by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific to ensure the safety of their operations.”

“In view of the Significant Safety Concern identified by ICAO in relation to the supervisory authority and pending the implementation of adequate corrective actions, including those drawn up in response to our concerns in 2008 but not yet implemented, the Commission considers that the supervisory authority is currently not able to implement and enforce the relevant safety standards, and decided therefore to ban from EU airspace all air carriers licensed in the Philippines until these deficiencies are corrected,” he said.

A statement from the EU Transportation Commissioner Siim Kalas said, “We cannot accept the airlines fly into the EU if they do not fully comply with international safety standards.”

The decision will take effect Thursday, April 1, 2010.

Newly appointed CAAP Director General Alfonso Cusi confirmed the ban, which he said was only a precautionary measure put in place by the EU while the CAAP is correcting the matter.

It was recalled that in October, 2009, the ICAO raised a Significant Safety Concern relating to the oversight functions carried out by the CAAP as well as the downgrading of the Philippines' safety rating by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The European Commission, however, noted the immediate concrete actions taken by the new management of CAAP, which vowed to address the identified safety deficiencies, and to pave the way for their successful resolution without delay.

In December, 2007, the US Federal Aviation Authority downgraded the Philippines from Category 1 to Category 2 for failure to implement safety standards set by the ICAO.

Presidential Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo said Malacañang is confident the CAAP will immediately address the concern of the 27-nation EU.(With reports from Anjo Perez and Charissa Luci)