The European Commission has added Air Tanzania to its EU Air Safety List, a blacklist of airlines banned from operating in EU airspace due to failing to meet international aviation safety standards. The announcement came on December 13, 2024, following assessments by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The decision, made to “ensure the highest level of air safety for Europeans,” reflects ongoing safety concerns about the Tanzanian carrier. Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas emphasized the EU’s stance, stating: “The decision to include Air Tanzania in the EU Air Safety List underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest safety standards for passengers in Europe and worldwide.”
Air Tanzania now joins 128 other airlines barred from EU skies, including carriers certified in Russia and other individual airlines from Zimbabwe, Iraq, Venezuela, and Iran. Additionally, Iran Air and North Korea’s Air Koryo remain restricted, operating only specific aircraft types under conditional authorizations.
The update comes after a comprehensive review of safety performance, oversight capabilities, and compliance with international standards decreed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
In contrast to the ban, the EU Commission welcomed progress in Pakistan’s aviation sector. The suspension imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in 2020 was lifted after significant improvements in safety performance. PIA, along with Airblue Limited, now has Third Country Operator (TCO) authorizations, permitting flights to the EU.
Tzitzikostas encouraged swift corrective action by Air Tanzania, offering EU assistance to help the airline enhance its safety performance. “We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues,” he added.
