EU releases updated list of ‘banned’ airlines

Safety concerns have led the European Commission to revise its list of airlines banned in the European Union. According to eTNW, all carriers in Mozambique, including flag carrier LAM, are banned from flying into the EU due to “significant safety deficiencies requiring decisive action”. For the same reason, two of Air Madagascar’s aircraft have been banned from operating flights to Europe. The updated European list includes all carriers certified in 21 states, accounting for 269 known air carriers, whose operations are fully banned in the European Union: Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon (with the exception of three carriers that operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia (with the exception of six carriers), Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier, which operates under restrictions and conditions), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. The list also includes three individual carriers: Blue Wing Airlines from Surinam, Meridian Airways from Ghana, and Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda. Additionally, the list includes 10 air carriers that are allowed to operate into the EU under strict restrictions and subject to conditions: Air Astana from Kazakhstan, as mentioned before; Air Koryo from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Airlift International from Ghana; Air Service Comores, Afrijet, Gabon Airlines and SN2AG from Gabon; Iran Air; TAAG Angolan Airlines; and Air Madagascar certified in Madagascar.