Dutch lift ban on Onur Air

24 May 2005

AMSTERDAM — The Dutch traffic safety inspectorate IVW has lifted the flight ban placed on Turkish airline Onur Air, the company’s lawyer said.

Sources in The Hague also said on Tuesday that a decision is imminent on an overall improvement plan being drawn up by Turkish authorities. The plan will unveil new safety measures the airline will need to take in the coming period.

The IVW banned Onur Air for landing at Dutch airports for a month starting on 12 May. The ban followed several safety scares, but the airline and Turkish safety authorities have defended the company’s record.

Dutch inspectors examined Onur Air’s safety measures in Istanbul last week, a mission which led to improved confidence in the Turkish airline. There was sufficient basis to allow the resumption of flights to and from the Netherlands.

Turkey has also drawn up a plan to improve air plane maintenance and the balance of its planes. The IVW said there are “good elements” to the plan, which was closely examined on Tuesday.

However, the flight ban imposed by Germany, Switzerland and France after the Dutch government imposed its ban on Onur Air still remains in place.

German, Swiss and French representatives discussed the future of Onur Air with the IVW in Hoofddorp on Monday. The respective transport safety authorities of those countries are also examining the Turkish improvement plan.

Subject: Dutch news