THE State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) hopes to work with Siem Reap Airways to have it removed from an EC blacklist banning it from flying to European airports, officials said Wednesday.

A statement by the authority  said it was confident that the European Commission's ban would be lifted through consultations between authorities and the airline.

"The SSCA is confident that, through a good cooperation between the airline and the authorities, in close consultation with EU services, solutions will be rapidly found and implemented to remedy the deficiencies," the statement said.

Failed grade

On Friday the European Commission slapped a ban on Siem Reap Airways  from flying to EU countries, saying it did not meet safety standards.

The EU's list contains more than 170 airlines belonging to 16 countries with Siem Reap Airways as the first Cambodian airline earning the dubious distinction.

"The main ... problem is the need for better definition in the sharing of responsibilities between the Department of Civil Aviation of Thailand and SSCA of the Cambodia," said an EC statement.

The ban does not realistically affect the airline's operations because it does not fly to the EU.

Lao Santi, Siem Reap Airways general manager, has said the ban does not apply to the carrier's airplanes since none are Cambodian-registered.