newstodate.aero
Mar 09, 2011 (newstodate): Afghanistan's third private airline Safi Airways has changed plans in its efforts to revive European operations after the ban on European flights since November 23, 2010.
As a first move, the carrier aired intentions of acquiring a North European airline to move registration of its aircraft into the EU and then continue operating Safi's route network, including flights from Kabul to Frankfurt.
Instead, Safi Airways has opted for a Gulf solution.
-We did indeed evaluate obtaining an AOC in a European country and several were looked at. However, on further investigation it made sense to us to obtain a Gulf AOC as our airline administrative offices are in Dubai and the Safi family has been trading into and out of Dubai for over 40 years, says Sharon Pereira, spokeswoman for the carrier.
-The Gulf CAA has a first class reputation as a regulator and so the Board decided to obtain a Gulf AOC, and we have started this process.
-It is not a quick process and it may take between six or eight months before Safi Airways completes the process. However, we are confident that with our management team and our high safety standards already in place, we can fully comply with the GCAA requirements, says Ms Pereira.
As one harbinger of a fresh start, Safi Airways plans to re-open flights between Kabul and Paris from July 1, 2011, using Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.
As a first move, the carrier aired intentions of acquiring a North European airline to move registration of its aircraft into the EU and then continue operating Safi's route network, including flights from Kabul to Frankfurt.
Instead, Safi Airways has opted for a Gulf solution.
-We did indeed evaluate obtaining an AOC in a European country and several were looked at. However, on further investigation it made sense to us to obtain a Gulf AOC as our airline administrative offices are in Dubai and the Safi family has been trading into and out of Dubai for over 40 years, says Sharon Pereira, spokeswoman for the carrier.
-The Gulf CAA has a first class reputation as a regulator and so the Board decided to obtain a Gulf AOC, and we have started this process.
-It is not a quick process and it may take between six or eight months before Safi Airways completes the process. However, we are confident that with our management team and our high safety standards already in place, we can fully comply with the GCAA requirements, says Ms Pereira.
As one harbinger of a fresh start, Safi Airways plans to re-open flights between Kabul and Paris from July 1, 2011, using Airbus A320 aircraft on the route.