admin
US regulators have fined Africa’s largest airline, Ethiopian, for operating in restricted airspaces while using US carrier designator codes. Gulf carriers Etihad and Emirates also attracted huge financial penalties from US air transport regulators, in the latest move meant to rein in violators.
In a statement on December 12, the US Department of Transport (USDOT), said it had fined the Ethiopian Airlines US$425 000 for operating flights carrying United Airlines’ designator code, and Etihad Airways $400 000 for operating flights carrying JetBlue Airways’ designator code in regions in which Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight prohibition orders were in effect for US operators.
The USDOT routinely issues restrictions barring US registered commercial airlines from operating in airspace deemed unsafe for a variety of reasons including but not, limited to armed conflict, unregulated airspace areas where its forces are in active combat abroad. The restrictions can apply to a particular geographical area or specific flight levels within a designated zone.
For instance, in October, the USDOT and the European Union Aviation Agency (Easa) issued separate restrictions stopping their airlines from operating in Iranian airspace.
This was after Iran launched retaliatory air strikes against Israel. — The East African
Online Reporter