Abaya Hails Eropean Union Ban Lifting on Cebu Pacific

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph “Jun” Abaya hails the European Union’s (EU) decision to lift its ban on Cebu Pacific Air, citing the carrier’s efforts in satisfying the European Commission’s safety standard requirements, as well as the effective governance of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) top officials.

In a message he delivered during the announcement of the lifting, Abaya gave the following remarks:

“One of our missions at the DOTC and CAAP under President Aquino’s leadership has been to revive the country’s aviation sector and to elevate it to world-class standards. Today’s announcement of the EU’s decision to lift its ban on Cebu Pacific Air brings us that much closer to establishing the Philippine civil aviation sector’s resurgence as one of the hallmarks of the Aquino administration.

“We are grateful to the EU for opening its skies to more flights from the Philippines. This will afford your constituents better access to excellent tourist destinations across our islands, and will give our citizens convenient and affordable means of travelling to your countries as well.

“Congratulations to Cebu Pacific on this milestone achievement. This only shows how far you are going in order to provide Filipinos with more options to visit many of their preferred destinations, not to mention providing OFWs with easier means of coming home and visiting their families.

“This development is certainly a win-win for both the Philippines and Europe, and we are positive that this will boost not only tourism for both sides, but our trade and commercial relations as well. Congratulations to all of you.”

The EU’s decision follows the lifting of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Significant Safety Concerns (SSCs) in March 2013 and the lifting of the EU Ban over Philippine Airlines (PAL) last July, affirming the reforms initiated at the CAAP in the past two (2) years.

Cebu Pacific will now be able to open direct flights to around 28 European nations, which will benefit Filipino travellers the businessmen. More direct flights will mean lower costs not only for tourists, but for the transport of goods and cargo as well.