The European Commission (EC) on Thursday updated the European Union (EU) Air Safety List, often called the EU blacklist, by adding Iran Aseman Airlines to the roll of carriers that are banned from operating in European airspace. At the same time, all air carriers from Kazakhstan were removed from the list, according to an EC statement.
The number of airlines banned from EU skies now stands at 193. Iran Aseman Airlines is one of three individual carriers banned for safety concerns. The others are Iraqi Airways and Blue Wings Airlines, which is based in Suriname. The other 190 carriers on the list are from a total of 18 countries and are on the blacklist due to a lack of safety oversight by the aviation authorities in those states, the EC said. Another six airlines are subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types: Afrijet and Nouvelle Air Affaires SN2AG from Gabon, Air Koryo (North Korea), Air Service Comores (the Comoros), Iran Air (Iran) and TAAG Angola Airlines (Angola).
“The EU Air Safety list is one of our main instruments to continuously offer the highest level of air safety to Europeans,ā said Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc. āI am particularly glad that after years of work and European technical assistance, we are today able to clear all Kazakh air carriers. This also is a positive signal for all the countries that remain on the list. It shows that work and cooperation pay off. The Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency are ready to assist.”