Political appointments delays UN's Filipino aviation audit

THE UN's International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has postponed its audit of Philippine aviation standards, which would have hopefully led to the lifting of the ban imposed by Europe on Philippine carriers, due to "operational concerns", reports the Philippine Star.

Last April, the European Commission banned Philippine carriers from flying to Europe due to safety concerns raised on local aviation standards, particularly those concerning the airports. While the Philippines does not fly to Europe, local carriers said this is affecting their relationship with other countries.

The ICAO Validation Mission (ICVM) was supposed to conduct its audit on December 7-10, but postponed it due to operational concerns, it told the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

"This is sad, we've been working hard for this, but in a letter dated November 9, ICAO has informed us of their decision to postpone the ICVM to an indefinite time," said CAAP director general Alfonso Cusi.

In a conference, ICAO officers clarified to CAAP that "these operational reasons relate to the insecurity of ICAO in the sustainability of the present reforms being undertaken by CAAP."

"The present unclear political announcements of a change in senior management could create, in ICAO's opinion, an indeterminable future of professional processes within CAAP."

Sources said this may relate to the November 2 resolution passed by the CAAP board of directors, allegedly backed by Transportation Secretary Jose de Jesus, approving appointments of seven persons to key management positions within the CAAP.

These are presidential appointments to CAAP which ignored rules that such office holders had to be aviation professionals to be vetted by civil service procedures rather than political appointments.

Mr Cusi said he understood the UN reaction. "Our compliance with our own aviation law is of greater concern to the international community," he said.

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) said that while CAAP had "undertaken ambitious and courageous reforms of the civil aviation oversight" it is "essential that it continues to act independently of any political or economical influence".

The Philippines has been downgraded by US aviation authorities also due to safety concerns. While the downgrade still allows Philippine Airlines (PAL) to continue flying its existing routes and frequencies, it prevents local carriers from mounting additional flights and destinations to the US.
(Source:www.schednet.com)