The EU has released it much awaited twice a year published list for airlines and air operators banned from flying into the EU members states and Switzerland. It includes airlines from mainly African, several Asian and one Latin American country.

The list reflects safety concerns due to alleged poor maintenance and regulatory oversight standards on the part of the EU. The first version of the list was published in 2006, on the legal basis of the Regulation No. 474/2006 of the European Commission, issued on 22 March of that year.

According to “European Voice” Russia and Albania have agreed at the last minute to block two airlines (VIM AVIA and Albanian Airline respectively) from flying into the EU.  This avoided them being listed, and would have been the first time, carriers from either country been banned.

TAAG Angolan Airlines part fleet, the entire fleet of Honduras-based Rollins Air and the Boeing 767s fleet of Jordan Aviation were added. While the Afghan Dubai based Safi Airways presidential flight operator remain on the list.

With the exception of Jordan, Iran, Indonesia, North Korea, and Gabon (ANNEX B) the EU has issued a blanket ban for all airlines regulated by the respective local civil aviation authorities by the following countries:  Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Madagascar, Republic of Benin, Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Mozambique,  Rwanda,  Republic of Sudan, Philippines  Sao Tome and Principe,  Sierra Leone,  Suriname,  Swaziland and  Zambia.

Current and previous complete lists please check HERE: