Allegations regarding plane upkeep preparations at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport have sparked a dispute between Serbia’s aviation regulator and Wizz Air, with the low price provider strongly rejecting claims that it did not adjust to native regulatory necessities. It comes days after the low price airline mentioned it might be compelled to shut its base in Belgrade after the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate redefined how overseas carriers can function providers from the nation.
Media experiences have emerged over the previous few days alleging the Directorate discovered Wizz Air had contracted plane upkeep suppliers at Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport that lacked the approvals required to function within the nation, with the matter subsequently referred to the European Union Aviation Security Company (EASA). The problem reportedly got here to gentle throughout a routine inspection performed by the Directorate. One of many firms recognized was Bulgarian agency World Upkeep, which Wizz Air had engaged to carry out day-to-day line upkeep on its Belgrade-based fleet. Though the corporate held common technical certifications and marketed upkeep providers at airports in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia, it allegedly didn’t possess the particular approval required by the Serbian regulator to hold out line upkeep actions within the nation. In accordance with experiences, the Directorate gave Wizz Air thirty days to rectify the state of affairs and produce the association into compliance, nonetheless, the deadline is claimed to have handed with out a decision.
Media experiences, citing unnamed sources, additional declare that Wizz Air subsequently engaged a second upkeep supplier. Nonetheless, the corporate allegedly did not fulfill all regulatory necessities essential to function in Serbia, and its licence was later suspended. Following the breakdown of each contractor preparations, Wizz Air started deploying its personal technical personnel from Hungary to hold out plane upkeep in Belgrade, a measure mentioned to have considerably elevated the airline’s working prices. In accordance with the experiences, the matter was finally referred to EASA.
Wizz Air responded to the media experiences yesterday, rejecting the allegations. “Wizz Air firmly rejects inaccurate claims which have appeared in sure media experiences suggesting the airline just isn’t working in compliance with native laws or lacks accredited plane upkeep providers. Security stays Wizz Air’s absolute precedence and isn’t compromised. The airline operates in full compliance with all relevant aviation security necessities and regulatory obligations. Each plane within the Wizz Air fleet is maintained in accordance with the best worldwide aviation requirements, utilizing accredited upkeep procedures and licensed personnel”, the corporate mentioned.
It added, “Following sudden adjustments to native regulatory necessities launched by the Civil Aviation Directorate, Wizz Air took proactive measures to make sure continued regulatory compliance and operational security by deploying its personal extremely certified, professionally skilled and appropriately authorised engineering workers. This method ensures that every one upkeep actions proceed to satisfy the airline’s stringent security requirements and regulatory necessities always. Any suggestion that Wizz Air operates plane with out correct upkeep oversight or exterior regulatory necessities is categorically false. The airline maintains a sturdy security administration system, works intently with related aviation authorities, and stays totally dedicated to offering protected, dependable and compliant operations for its passengers”. The airline added that it’ll pursue all essential authorized motion in opposition to what it described as defamatory statements.
