Well, what a surprise - not!
I've often said that the travelling public is more that happy to travel on an aircraft for bus fare, because they believe that the regulator will ensure their safety.
And I have also said that thay have no idea that regulator will not ensure their safety. In fact, in the current climate they cannot ensure their safety. Continuous cost cutting by governments leading to increasing self regulation & the deterioration of experience & skill in the regulator's staff has seen to that.
And when they are dealing with maintenance organisations & airlines from overseas, it is really easy to say that they have already been approved by the regulator in their country & just give them a quick once over. Not only does it save money, it also is politically correct. You don't want to embarrass your counterpart. And you don't want them retaliating to save face either.
While there are other important areas that also need addressing for pilots, engineers & cabin crew, such as training, fatigue & even terms & conditions; adequate, competent oversight by the regulator leading to strict compliance is a major part of the very foundation of airline safety.
It appears that maybe - just maybe - the travelling public is starting to wake up from their 'low fare dreaming' & questions are starting to be asked.
It's true - you really do only get bus fare on busses. If you want to be safe on an aircraft, you need to pay airfare. And if the airlines are charging bus fare to travel with them, something is being cost-cut to the edge of safety or beyond.
Well done to those who continue to keep these issues alive in the public arena. It is only through your tenacity that the travelling public will begin to comprehend that the old adage 'you get what you pay for' also holds true for air travel.