Europe Bans 169 Airlines with Suriname and Tanzania Added to the List

The addition of Suriname and Tanzania has raised the total number of banned airlines in Europe to 169. The European Union Commission in Brussels has imposed a ban on all airlines certified in both countries, citing significant safety oversight deficiencies. This decision prevents carriers from these nations from operating within European Union airspace.

The European Commission determined that neither Suriname nor Tanzania met international aviation safety standards, prompting their inclusion on the EU’s Air Safety List. Following thorough technical assessments, officials identified serious shortcomings in the national aviation oversight systems of both countries. The ruling, which emerged from a meeting with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) last month, evaluated each country’s ability to maintain proper oversight of their certified airlines.

With the inclusion of Suriname and Tanzania, the EU’s aviation safety enforcement has expanded significantly. The comprehensive list now includes 142 airlines from 17 countries, demonstrating widespread safety concerns and insufficient oversight from their respective aviation authorities.

Russian carriers represent 22 of the banned airlines, while an additional 5 airlines have been prohibited due to serious individual safety deficiencies. These airlines include:

Air Zimbabwe (UM) from Zimbabwe
Avior Airlines (9V) from Venezuela
Iran Aseman Airlines (EP) from Iran
Fly Baghdad (IF) from Iraq
Iraqi Airways (IA) from Iraq

Operational Restrictions for Some Airlines

Two airlines are subject to operational restrictions rather than full bans, meaning they have limited access to EU airspace with specific aircraft types only. These airlines include Iran Air (IR) from Iran and Air Koryo (JS) from North Korea, both of which operate under conditional arrangements, reflecting the EU’s gradual approach to enforcing aviation safety.

Surinam Airways (PY), the flag carrier of Suriname, is now facing significant operational disruptions due to the ban. The airline has suspended its services to and from Cayenne, French Guiana, an overseas region of France that falls under EU safety jurisdiction.

Air Tanzania (TC), the flag carrier of Tanzania, was already placed on the EU safety list last year, indicating ongoing concerns about Tanzania’s aviation oversight. The full ban now applies to all airlines certified in Tanzania.

Passenger Safety Remains a Top Priority

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, stressed that passenger safety is the EU’s top priority in aviation. He confirmed that the European Commission conducted thorough assessments before adding airlines from Suriname and Tanzania to the prohibition list.

The Commissioner urged Suriname and Tanzania to address their aviation oversight deficiencies promptly, offering the European Commission’s support in helping both countries meet international safety standards.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, aviationa2z.com