March 21, 2011 Israel's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Monday ordered charter airline Sun D'Or to cease operations from April 1 because it failed to comply with regulations.
The CAA said the airline, a wholly owned subsidiary of flag carrier El Al, relied on its parent company to administer its operations which was unsatisfactory.
"Sun D'Or is currently operating without a full administrative and operational framework as required of every other airline and is relying fully on the infrastructure of parent company El Al," the CAA statement said.
Israel's transportation ministry said Sun D'Or was operating with an air operator certificate but that it did not meet the requirements to hold one, as it could not demonstrate it had control over its operations as required by law.
The ministry said Sun D'Or was an "empty shell used by El Al for commercial reasons" but it did not have its own pilots, cabin crew or training and all its operations are run by El Al.
Sun D'Or, based at Tel Aviv airport, flies mainly Israeli holidaymakers to destinations in Europe with its three Boeing 757-200 aircraft, the airline's web site says.
The CAA said it told Sun D'Or over a year ago it failed to meet aviation standards.
The airline had "endeavoured to repair the faults but the CAA remained unconvinced," the CAA said.
The CAA said European aviation officials had also raised concerns over the way Sun D'Or was being run.
The ministry added that the aircraft, which were maintained by El Al, were "completely safe" and there have never been any security or flight safety issues. It said the dispute was "purely administrative".
The ministry said the airline would cease to operate as an independent entity but El Al could use the brand name Sun D'Or for commercial reasons in future.
El Al said it was trying to make alternative arrangements for passengers booked on flights that are to be cancelled.
(Reuters)
Cosi salutiamo anche il volo per Venezia!
The CAA said the airline, a wholly owned subsidiary of flag carrier El Al, relied on its parent company to administer its operations which was unsatisfactory.
"Sun D'Or is currently operating without a full administrative and operational framework as required of every other airline and is relying fully on the infrastructure of parent company El Al," the CAA statement said.
Israel's transportation ministry said Sun D'Or was operating with an air operator certificate but that it did not meet the requirements to hold one, as it could not demonstrate it had control over its operations as required by law.
The ministry said Sun D'Or was an "empty shell used by El Al for commercial reasons" but it did not have its own pilots, cabin crew or training and all its operations are run by El Al.
Sun D'Or, based at Tel Aviv airport, flies mainly Israeli holidaymakers to destinations in Europe with its three Boeing 757-200 aircraft, the airline's web site says.
The CAA said it told Sun D'Or over a year ago it failed to meet aviation standards.
The airline had "endeavoured to repair the faults but the CAA remained unconvinced," the CAA said.
The CAA said European aviation officials had also raised concerns over the way Sun D'Or was being run.
The ministry added that the aircraft, which were maintained by El Al, were "completely safe" and there have never been any security or flight safety issues. It said the dispute was "purely administrative".
The ministry said the airline would cease to operate as an independent entity but El Al could use the brand name Sun D'Or for commercial reasons in future.
El Al said it was trying to make alternative arrangements for passengers booked on flights that are to be cancelled.
(Reuters)
Cosi salutiamo anche il volo per Venezia!
