The European Commission has added Air Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List, effectively barring the airline from operating within European airspace.
The announcement, made on December 16, 2024, follows safety concerns raised by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These concerns also led to the rejection of Air Tanzania’s application for a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization.
While the Commission did not specify the exact safety violations, aviation industry analysts speculate that Air Tanzania may have operated its Airbus A220 aircraft beyond scheduled major maintenance checks, potentially breaching airworthiness directives.
This development highlights the rigorous standards imposed by the EU on foreign airlines to ensure passenger safety and compliance with international aviation regulations. The ban is expected to impact Air Tanzania’s operations significantly, given the importance of European routes in its strategic growth plans.
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.
Said Apostolos Tzitzikostas, EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism.
“We strongly urge Air Tanzania to take swift and decisive action to address these safety issues. I have offered the Commission’s assistance to the Tanzanian authorities in enhancing Air Tanzania’s safety performance and achieving full compliance with international aviation standards,” he added.
Air Tanzania, which operates a modern fleet including Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 737 Max jets, and Airbus A220s, has been dealt a major blow with its recent addition to the EU Air Safety List. The airline, previously flying its B787 to European destinations such as Frankfurt and Athens, had ambitious plans to expand to London using the Airbus A220. However, the ban has dashed these aspirations.
The consequences have been immediate and far-reaching. Several airports, including regional hubs like Kigali and others across the continent, have begun restricting Air Tanzania’s operations. This move is expected to disrupt the airline’s routes and dent its international ambitions.
While the European Commission’s decision does not entirely eliminate the airline’s ability to operate in European airspace, it limits it significantly. Air Tanzania can only exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft from carriers not subject to the ban.
Under a wet lease arrangement, the lessor provides the aircraft along with crew, fuel, and insurance, allowing the lessee airline to operate under strict compliance with safety standards.
Tanzania also partners with KLM as part of its aviation strategy, but the EU decision casts a shadow over the national carrier’s ability to compete effectively on international routes.
Two more to the list
The European Union (EU) has updated its Air Safety List, a crucial tool for ensuring passenger safety by identifying airlines that fail to meet international aviation standards.
The latest revision, finalized after a meeting of aviation safety experts in Brussels from November 19 to 21, 2024, brings the total number of banned airlines to 129.
Among the listed carriers, 100 operate from 15 countries with insufficient aviation oversight, while 29 others, including Air Tanzania, have been flagged for significant safety deficiencies. Other airlines recently added to the list include Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), and Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran).
Highlighting the EU’s commitment to safety, Tzitzikostas remarked, “Our priority remains the safety of every traveler who relies on air transport. We urge all affected airlines to take these bans seriously and work collaboratively with international bodies to resolve the identified issues.”
There was, however, positive news for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has been cleared to resume EU operations after a four-year ban imposed in 2020. The decision follows significant improvements in safety measures by PIA and enhanced oversight by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
The EU Air Safety List is regularly updated to ensure stringent monitoring of global aviation standards, encouraging non-compliant airlines to address deficiencies and prioritize passenger safety.
“Since the TCO Authorisation was suspended, PIA and PCAA have made remarkable progress in enhancing safety standards,” noted Tzitzikostas. “This demonstrates that safety issues can be resolved through determination and cooperation.”
In a significant development, Airblue Limited, a Pakistani airline, has received Third Country Operator (TCO) authorization from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This approval allows the airline to operate in European airspace, signaling compliance with international aviation safety standards.
The EU’s decisions to include or exclude airlines from its Air Safety List are grounded in a rigorous evaluation process aligned with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
This meticulous process involves a comprehensive review by EU Member State aviation safety experts, with oversight from the European Commission and technical support from EASA.
The authorization for Airblue comes as the EU continues to uphold its commitment to passenger safety through stringent oversight of global aviation practices. The process aims to ensure that airlines operating in European airspace meet the highest safety benchmarks, encouraging compliance and accountability across the industry.
“Where an airline currently on the list believes it complies with the required safety standards, it can request a reassessment,” explained Tzitzikostas. “Our goal is not to penalize but to ensure safety compliance globally.”
Inclusion on the EU Air Safety List poses serious obstacles for airlines, as it underscores deficiencies in safety oversight by their home regulatory authorities and restricts access to key international markets.
For Air Tanzania, the ban is a wake-up call for urgent reform within the country’s aviation sector. Addressing the identified safety concerns will require significant efforts to align with global standards and restore confidence in the airline’s operations.
Reclaiming access to the European market, one of the most critical hubs in global aviation, will demand immediate and sustained measures. These include enhanced regulatory oversight, strict adherence to airworthiness directives, and closer collaboration with international aviation bodies to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
The situation highlights the broader implications of such bans, not only for the affected airline but also for the reputation and competitiveness of the national aviation industry.
