Belorussian airline has operating certificate withdrawn after concerns about safety.

Published: 10/7/1999

Belorussian charter carrier TechAviaService (TAS) has had its certificate withdrawn by the Belorussian State Aviation Committee (Goskomavia). The decision, which was apparently made several weeks ago, was only communicated at the last minute to travel agencies by the airline. As a result, the sudden announcement that a TAS flight to Hurgada, Egypt, would be operated by state airline, Belavia, caused chaos, as TAS tickets were declared invalid. The flight was delayed for three hours while travel agencies produced letters of guarantees to Belavia to cover the cost of tickets. TAS remained tightlipped throughout the whole affair, despite its obligation to provide notification of the flight cancellation. It still has to pay back the cost of the tickets. Belavia will now takeover the profitable tourist programme, although it has refused to compensate for the costs incurred by travel agencies. The airline plans to use a Tu-134A, which will require refueling in Damascus, Syria, in contrast to the longer range Tu-134B used by TAS. Given the refueling it is also rumoured that ticket prices will be higher. The decision to withdraw TAS' certificate is reported to be as a result of a number of safety infringements revealed by a Goskomavia commission. Some commentators have accused Goskomavia of being guilty in part for the chaotic situation.

Article ID: 951