The state information agency TDH reports that on 14 October Chairperson of Turkmenistan Airlines Dovran Saburov briefed President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov that the airline has successfully completed the inspection to comply with the relevant EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) requirements.
“The EASA experts gave a good evaluation of the efforts undertaken by Turkmenistan to ensure safety of flights operated by Turkmenistan Airlines and the infrastructure and facilities of the airports. Pursuant to the requirements, the operations of border guard, customs and migration services of Ashgabat airport have been streamlined”, — Saburov reported.
It should be emphasized that the TDH report does not mention the ban imposed by EASA on Turkmenistan Airlines to perform flights over the territory of the European Union, which had been introduced in February 2019.
The news outlet reports that Berdymukhammedov emphasized that positive outcomes of the inspections will contribute to organizing passenger transportation to European destinations.
The head of state charged Deputy Prime Minister overseeing transportation, communications and industry Bairamgeldi Ovezov and Chairperson of Turkmenistan Airlines Dovran Saburov with the task of resuming flights to the EU.
Taking into account the fact that the airline operates at a revenue generating basis, the head of state said that the most sough-after destinations need to be determined based on the market prices and careful consideration of prospective revenues and expenses.
In late October EASA representatives refused to respond to the questions of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” about the audit of Turkmenistan Airlines and reported that in case the airline successfully completes the inspections, it will be included in the list of air carriers which will be given a license to perform flights to the EU countries.