African Airlines Hit With New EU Bans Amid Ongoing Safety Oversight Disputes
Several African airlines have been newly added to the European Union’s Air Safety List, intensifying a long-running dispute over regulatory oversight and aviation safety standards across the continent. The updated 2025 blacklist further restricts African carriers from operating in EU airspace and highlights systemic gaps in national aviation supervision.
The EU’s latest update brings the total number of banned airlines to 169, including 142 carriers certified in 17 countries deemed to have inadequate safety oversight. Many of these nations are in Africa, including Angola (with two exceptions), Congo Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Liberia, Libya, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Sudan and Tanzania.
The European Commission cited “serious deficiencies” in safety management, regulatory supervision and compliance with international aviation standards. For countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone, every airline registered in the country is now banned from EU skies.
In addition to blanket bans, the list includes carriers worldwide flagged for individual safety concerns, including operators from Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Iran and Iraq. Two airlines — Iran Air and North Korea’s Air Koryo — are not fully banned but face strict aircraft-specific operational limits.
Oversight Failures at the Core of the Problem
While many African airlines have modernized fleets and improved operational performance, the EU places responsibility squarely on national aviation authorities, not just the carriers. The European Commission’s technical review found widespread shortcomings in regulatory oversight, safety monitoring and adherence to ICAO standards.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, underscored the EU’s position:
“Passenger safety remains our top priority. Following a detailed assessment, the Commission has added all air carriers certified in Suriname and Tanzania due to serious deficiencies in national aviation oversight.”
Economic Fallout for African Aviation
The bans have far-reaching economic consequences:
- Restricted access to lucrative European markets
- Higher insurance and aircraft leasing costs
- Increased difficulty forming global airline partnerships
- Reduced connectivity for tourism-dependent economies
For many African carriers, EU bans limit international growth and weaken their ability to attract foreign investment.
A Path to Removal — but Not Without Challenges
Several countries have previously been removed from the EU blacklist after strengthening regulatory frameworks, investing in safety oversight and undergoing repeated audits. Aviation experts say these success stories offer a template — but reforms require long-term funding, training and political commitment.
With Africa among the world’s fastest-growing air travel markets, robust aviation oversight is critical. Without significant regulatory improvements, the region risks continued isolation from major global markets and slower aviation-sector development.
Improving compliance is no longer optional — it is essential for restoring trust, expanding global access and ensuring safer skies across the continent.
Related News: https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/travel-health-security/
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, africa.businessinsider.com