BRUSSELS - SAFETY checks will be stepped up on European Union airlines in the wake of a crash last month at Madrid's Barajas airport that killed 154 people, the EU's transport commissioner said on Tuesday.

In a speech to EU lawmakers, Mr Antonio Tajani also promised that EU member states would soon be obliged to carry out a minimum number of safety inspections.

'My team is currently working, with the help of the European Aviation Safety Agency, on a regulatory proposal establishing a minimal number of ground inspections to be carried out annually by each member state,' he told lawmakers.

He said EASA was further strengthening its work on checking safety rules were applied not only in the areas of certification, production and airworthiness of aircraft, but also in airline operations and the licensing of pilots.

The Aug 20 crash during take-off was Spain's worst air crash in 25 years, with only 18 survivors.

Investigators do not expect to reach a conclusion on a cause for some time, but a report last week in the Wall Street Journal said wing flaps that provide extra lift had failed to extend.