CAAP hopes ban on PH airlines to be lifted soon

MANILA, Philippines—The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is keeping its fingers crossed as it hopes the restrictions currently imposed on local airlines will be lifted soon following a visit from American and European aviation officials in the coming months.

CAAP Director General William Hotchkiss III on Wednesday told reporters that he is expecting positive results in the upcoming visit.

European Union representatives, upon the invitation of CAAP, will be conducting an on-site visit to the Philippines in June.

The visit will coincide with the EU Air Safety Committee Meeting to be held on the last week of June in Belgium. The committee determines whether a country can be removed from the EU blacklist.

Also, the US Federal Aviation Administration is set to visit the country on May 2. The agency downgraded the Philippines from Category 1 to Category 2 status in 2008, effectively banning local carriers from adding new routes to the United States.

The FAA will find out “if the recommended action plan started in 2010 was followed,” Hotchkiss said. “I am confident that in so far as our action plan is concerned, we have complied with the requirements.”