Ministry of Transport, Information Technology and Communications

 Only two air companies, which failed into “ A “ list have fulfilled cargo flights from, and to the territory of Bulgaria in the period January 2005 – March 2006. This are “GST – AERO” – KAZAHSTAN and “REEM AIR” – KIRGIZTAN. The both air operators have contract a commercial agreement with Bulgarian air carriers to accomplish the corresponding flights. The air companies have submitted all required documents according to the national legislation. Discrepancies and violations were not ascertained.

According to Regulation (EC) 2111/2005, on March 2006 the European Commission submitted a list of air companies, which has prohibition imposed, to operate within the framework of the European Union. The air companies are divided in two sections: List “A”, which contains air companies with full prohibition to fly over the territory of the European Union, and list “B”, which includes air companies with exploitation restrictions imposed. In list “A” 93 air companies are included, and in list “B” –  3 air companies.

Publishing the list, and in view of the fact, which the priorities of General Directorate “Civil Aeronautical Administration” for safety and security of the flights are, we intend to take the following additional precautions:

• to strengthen the control and examination on the program SAFA (a program for proofing the safety of foreign aeronautical means) of the aviation operators, presented in the list, in case of request for accomplishing flights from/to the territory of Bulgaria;
• to impose a flight prohibition for these air companies, in case flights safety and security standards discrepancies have been ascertained;
• to give an information to the Bulgarian air operators about the air companies failed under prohibition, and also to recommend avoidance of commercial relations with those air carriers;
• to acquaint SE “Air Traffic Control” of the air companies under prohibition, and also to give an instructions for strict following of the flight  plans and for denial of processing, in case of intention to fly or land from/to the territory of the European union..

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The basic criteria for the imposed prohibitions are:     

• Evidences for serious departure from the safety norms of the air operator;
• lack of possibility and/or willingness on the part of the air operator to launch measures for elimination of the ascertained discrepancies;
• lack of possibility and/or willingness on the part of the national administration for civil aviation, who exercise the control over the air operator, to launch measures for elimination of the discrepancies.

The general list is liable to actualization by suggestion of the Commission itself or the member countries, in case of addition or removal of air operators.

The air companies with prohibition imposed, may still accomplish flights from/to the territory of the Union, if they enter into contract for dry or wet leasing with another air operator, not included in the general prohibition list.