8 January 2007
Conservative MEP Philip Bradbourn, the Transport Spokesman for the Conservatives in the European Parliament, has opposed proposals to extend the mandate of EASA.
Speaking from Brussels today Mr Bradbourn said: “The Civil Aviation Authority has been forced to relinquish responsibilities to EASA, who simply are not fit for the job. The bureaucratic nature of EASA is causing costs to the local aviation industry to increase, while they have done nothing to improve safety. Yet again, the EU is meddling in areas that are better off without their interference. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
His comments come after a visit last week, to Sleap-based Shropshire Light Aviation. Its owner, Peter Whitehead, explained to how his costs were increasing as a direct result of the shift of responsibility from the CAA to EASA without any noticeable increase in safety, noting that the cost of his annual renewal has doubled since EASA took over.
