Friday, November 21, 2008

Siam Reap Airways Won’t be Affected by European Commission Air Ban

Friday, 21 November 2008
Travel Blackboard

Siem Reap Airways has responded to being added to the European Commission’s list of blacklisted airlines, by saying the order did not apply to its aircraft, national media reported Tuesday.

The EC last week banned Siem Reap Airways, which only flies regional routes, from landing at European Airports, citing its failure to comply with international and Cambodian civil aviation standards, the Phnom Penh Post said.

Lao Santi, General Manager of Siem Reap Airways, said the ban applied only to Siem Reap Airways aircraft registered in Cambodia, according to the Post.

"As a matter of fact, none of the aircraft operating (Siem Reap Airways) services have been registered in the Kingdom, as they are entirely operated on a wet-lease basis." he said in a statement.

A wet-lease is an arrangement between two airlines whereby the lesser provides the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) to the lessee.

The statement said that the EC exempted airlines listed in "Annex A" of the ban that operate on a wet-lease basis.

"Air carriers listed in the Annex A could be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with," the EC document states.

Siem Reap Airways is a subsidiary of Thailand-based Bangkok Airways and currently offers no air service to European countries.

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