The European Commission has updated the EU Air Safety List, which identifies airlines banned or restricted from operating within the European Union due to non-compliance with international safety standards. This initiative is central to ensuring the highest levels of aviation safety for all passengers.
As part of the latest update, Air Tanzania has been added to the list due to safety concerns highlighted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These concerns also resulted in the denial of a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation for the airline.
In a positive development, EASA has lifted the TCO suspension imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) since 2020. Substantial safety improvements made by PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) have enabled the airline to resume flights to the EU. Additionally, Airblue Limited, another Pakistani airline, has been granted TCO authorisation, reflecting further progress in aviation safety in Pakistan.
Following this update, 129 airlines remain banned from EU skies:
- 100 airlines certified in 15 States (including Afghanistan, Libya, Nepal, and Sudan) are banned due to inadequate safety oversight by their respective aviation authorities.
- 22 Russian-certified airlines, alongside seven airlines from other countries, face bans for serious safety deficiencies. These include Air Tanzania (Tanzania), Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), and Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran).
- Two airlines, Iran Air (Iran) and Air Koryo (North Korea), are subject to operational restrictions, allowing EU operations only with specific aircraft types.
The EU Air Safety List plays a key role in maintaining strict aviation standards, safeguarding passengers, and encouraging global airlines to enhance their safety measures.
