Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) has once again applied to the European Commission to be struck off its Banned Operators List as it pushes to launch services to Europe.

All Filipino airlines were banned from Europe in 2010 after various safety concerns were discovered during an assessment of the country's aviation infrastructure. By virtue of its improved track record, Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino International) was struck off the list late last year paving the way for flights to London Heathrow in November.

However, the BusinessMirror reports that Cebu representatives have now joined officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Belgium to argue their case.

“Cebu Pacific representatives are now with CAAP officials in Brussels to present their case before the European Union. They are applying for the lifting of their ban to fly to Europe,” CAAP Deputy Director John C. Andrews said.

Both Cebu and Philippine Airlines are eagerly awaiting the results of a January US Federal Aviation Administration audit of the CAAP which could lead to the country's promotion to a Category 1 safety status. The attainment of Category 1 would allow both carriers to increase frequencies and launch new services to the United States.