Europe aviation boss calls for reforms 1.5 years after MH17

Patrick Ky of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is calling for an institute with the responsibility of warning airlines about dangerous flight routes. That can prevent disasters like with flight MH17 happening in the future. EASA is willing to take that responsibility upon themselves. "Because if I don't do it, who will?" Ky said to broadcaster NOS. Flying over conflict zones one of the the topics discussed at a major two-day European aviation conference, held at Schiphol airport on Wednesday ad Thursday. A number of those involved in the MH17 disaster are becoming impatient, because a year and a half later nothing has changed, they feel. It is still up to countries and airlines themselves to figure out what risks there are in certain air spaces. They mostly do so by getting information from military and national security services, information that is typically not shared with other countries. EASA wants this to change. "Security services must give use the results of their analysis. We will then spread the information in the form of warnings or bulletins", Ky said to the broadcaster. EASA does not want to forbid airlines from flying certain routes - "That assessment they have to make themselves" - but believes it must be an informed decision. Tour operator Corendon thinks an authority that can impose mandatory routes is a good idea. "It would be good if there is an independent body institution in Europe that says where you can and cannot fly, and at what altitude." Director Steven van Heijden said to NOS. "Like the Federal Aviation Authority in the United States imposes on American airlines."