France proposes safety rating for air charter companies

Airline Industry Information, Jan 20, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

France has reportedly proposed a safety rating for air charter companies following the crash of a Flash Airlines aircraft on 3 January 2004.

The charter aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Sharm el-Shiek, bound for Paris, France via Cairo. Radar images showed that the aircraft turned left as normal after takeoff, then suddenly straightened out and turned right before crashing into the sea, one minute after its left turn. All 148 people on board were killed, including 134 French tourists.

The European Commission is to consider the proposal to impose quality controls on charter airlines to prevent accidents.

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