Brussels, 14/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 14 March, the European Commission called on the Cypriot authorities to adopt the updated version of the national civil aviation safety programme, which is in line with developments in European legislation in the matter (regulation 300/2008). The Republic has two months to come into line, or it could be brought before the European Court of Justice.
Amongst other things, the Commission criticises the fact that Cyprus has still not formally adopted the new national civil aviation safety programme, which contains a precise definition of the measures required for airports, airlines and other organisations involved in safety. The current programme dates from 2004 and does not contain important modifications made since then to EU legislation. The same goes for the national quality control programme, which is included in the safety programme, and which makes it possible to verify the quality of civil aviation safety in the country. In a press release published on this issue, the Commission admits that it has been kept abreast of developments in this new programme by the Cypriot authorities. It has not, however, been informed of its formal adoption and therefore considers that it has not been applied. Until the Cypriot legislation has been updated, the Commission takes the view that the country will not be in a position to be able to guarantee the safety of all airports, airlines and other organisations under its responsibility, or to ensure the effective execution of national control activities. (A.By./transl.fl)