Air Tanzania banned from EU Airspace following safety concerns
The European Union has recently updated its Air Safety List, resulting in the addition of Air Tanzania to the list of airlines banned from operating within EU airspace. This decision, announced on 13 December 2024, is a significant blow to the airline and highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety standards.
The European Commission’s decision any airline from entering European skies can stem from result from either of two factors: (i) the safety oversight provided by their national aviation authority is inadequate, or (ii) the airline itself has unresolved operational safety concerns.
The EU Air Safety List is updated regularly to ensure that only airlines meeting stringent international safety standards can operate within European skies. The inclusion of Air Tanzania on this list underscores the EU’s commitment to maintaining high levels of safety for all passengers.
Air Tanzania’s ban is particularly notable as Tanzania becomes one of only two African countries facing such restrictions, the other being Zimbabwe. The EU’s safety concerns extend beyond individual airlines to include broader issues of regulatory oversight and compliance with international aviation standards.
In response to the ban, the Tanzanian government and Air Tanzania have expressed their commitment to addressing the identified safety issues. Efforts will likely focus on enhancing operational procedures, staff training, and compliance with international safety protocols. The aim is to restore confidence and ensure the airline’s reinstatement on the EU’s approved list in the future.
This development also serves as a reminder to other airlines and regulatory authorities in Africa and beyond about the critical importance of adhering to international safety standards. The EU’s Air Safety List not only acts as a protective measure for passengers but also as a motivational tool for airlines and countries to continuously improve their safety records.
Essentially, the ban covers a total of 129 airlines that can no longer fly to the EU skies:
- 100 airlines certified in 15 States (Afghanistan, Angola (with the exception of 2 airlines), Armenia, Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone and Sudan), due to inadequate safety oversight by the aviation authorities from these states;
- 22 airlines certified in Russia, as well as 7 individual airlines from other states, based on serious safety deficiencies identified: Air Tanzania (Tanzania), Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), Blue Wing Airlines (Suriname), Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Fly Baghdad (Iraq) and Iraqi Airways (Iraq).
Two additional airlines are subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types: Iran Air (Iran) and Air Koryo (North Korea).
The aviation industry in Tanzania, while facing this setback, has the opportunity to make significant improvements and return to compliance with global safety norms. Ensuring the highest levels of safety will be crucial for Air Tanzania to regain access to European airspace and continue its operations on a broader international scale.
For more details, you can refer to the official announcement by the European Commission here.
