Laws, Regulations & Policies

The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union.

Five screening centers will be set up on Greek islands in efforts to manage the registration procedure for an ever-growing number of refugees entering the country, the government announced earlier this week.

The US House voted on Tuesday to tighten its current “visa waiver” program in the aftermath of the November 13 Paris attacks.

The European Commission on Monday adopted a new Aviation Strategy for Europe, a milestone initiative to boost Europe’s economy, strengthen its industrial base and reinforce its global leadership position.

The European Council and EU governments agreed last week to a provisional proposal for a directive that will once in effect oblige airlines to hand over their passengers’ data to EU countries upon arrival or departure in order to help authorities fight terrorism and serious transnational crime.

The Greek Parliament approved the country’s 2016 budget that includes deep spending cuts and some tax hikes amid economic recession.

Threats to drop Greece from the Schengen passport-free zone for failing to upgrade its refugee registering scheme and improve the conditions for incoming migrants seems to have shaken the Greek government, which has agreed to allow EU patrols to supervise migrant flows at its borders and has additionally requested humanitarian aid, the EU said.

Negotiations over a proposal that would oblige airlines to hand over their passengers’ data to EU countries in order to help authorities fight terrorism and serious transnational crime are currently underway between EU bodies with an agreement expected by the end of the month.

Pointing to Greece’s resilience in trying times and to tourism’s strong performance despite the shortcomings, Alternate Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura said the country can become one of the world’s top 5 destinations in terms of quality offerings and number of arrivals.

Greece has by mid-December to upgrade its refugee registering system and improve the conditions for migrants entering the country or it may have to face suspension from the Schengen passport-free zone for foot-dragging.