AIR Tanzania, the country’s national carrier, has been formally added to the European Union’s aviation blacklist due to safety concerns, barring it from operating flights to Europe.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) denied the airline third-country operator authorisation, a key requirement for accessing European airspace. The move was confirmed by the European Commission, which cited unresolved safety issues at the airline.
Apostolos Tzitzikkostas, the EU commissioner for sustainable transport, urged swift action from the carrier: ‘We strongly encourage Air Tanzania to address these safety issues decisively. The Commission stands ready to assist Tanzanian authorities in improving oversight.’
Mixed fleet but rising scrutiny
Air Tanzania operates a modern fleet that includes Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220 aircraft. Despite this, the airline’s safety standards have not met EU expectations. The ban places Air Tanzania among seven airlines receiving outright prohibitions, alongside Zimbabwe’s flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe.
The blacklist update, released this week, highlighted broader concerns in global aviation safety. It maintains blanket bans on carriers from 15 nations due to regulatory failures, affecting 100 airlines. Additionally, 22 Russian airlines remain banned, and operational restrictions persist for Iran Air and North Korea’s Air Koryo.
Pakistan Airlines back in the skies
In contrast to Air Tanzania’s setback, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has had its ban lifted. The Commission acknowledged improvements in oversight by Pakistan’s aviation regulator, allowing PIA to resume operations in EU territories.
The total number of airlines on the EU blacklist now stands at 129, reflecting ongoing scrutiny over aviation safety and regulatory compliance.
Air Tanzania’s inclusion in the blacklist underscores the EU’s stringent stance on safety, sending a clear signal that modern fleets alone cannot compensate for lapses in operational standards.
Credit: Africabriefing
