Airline Blacklist Gets the Nod from EU Ministers

The founding of a blacklist of airlines that are considered too unsafe to fly within the 25-nation European Union was granted by European Union member states last week.

The proposal was okayed at EU transport ministers meeting in Brussels, following last month´s support from the European Parliament.

It is expected that the new rules will be enforced at the beginning of 2006, with EU member states telling the executive European Commission which airlines are banned from operating on their territory.

The Commission will then draw up the blacklist, based on common criteria. Listed carriers will be allowed to defend themselves.

The swift action on a blacklist is the result of a series of air crashes and accidents earlier this year.