Indonesia pushes EU to allow airlines

14/05/2008 17:05:10

Indonesian officials have held talks with their European Union counterparts to lift the bloc's blanket ban on Indonesian airlines flying in its airspace.

Indonesia has proposed the EU accept a fast-track program for four airlines, including national flag carrier Garuda, to be re-admitted before other Indonesian carriers.

Indonesia is hoping the four airlines could be approved for flight within the EU by the end of July.

The EU imposed the blanket ban on 51 Indonesian airlines in June after a string of fatal accidents.

Indonesia has since launched a program to improve air safety standards and is now asking the EU authority on aviation to lift the ban on those airlines that have improved their safety standards.

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