EU proposes ending Bulgarian airline restrictions

BRUSSELS, July 22 (Reuters) - The European Commission proposed lifting restrictions on airlines based in European Union member Bulgaria on Tuesday, allowing carriers there to offer a full service across the EU.

EU restrictions were placed on Bulgaria's aviation sector in 2005 due to "serious deficiencies" which have now been dealt by withdrawing some planes from service and improving quality in the sector, a Commission spokesman said.

The EU executive expects the bloc's governments to give the green light on July 25 with formal adoption in September.

The proposal offers Bulgaria a crumb of comfort on the eve of a critical report from the Commission which could strip the country of half a billion euros in EU funds for failing to tackle corruption.

"Bulgaria's airlines can now fly freely in EU skies," he added.

No airlines were named in the restrictions. (Reporting by Huw Jones; Editing by Paul Bolding)