Air transport
Libyan airlines banned from flying to EU
By Isabelle Smets | Tuesday 03 April 2012
The Venezuelan airline Conviasa and all Libyan carriers have been added to the list of airlines subject to an operating ban in the EU. On 3 April, the European Commission adopted the 19th update of the EU blacklist of air carriers with these two changes.
Through accidents and ramp checks at EU airports, the Commission established that it had “numerous security concerns” vis-à-vis Conviasa, which offered flights to and from Spain. The safety performance of the two other air carriers certified in Venezuela – Estellar Latinoamerica and Aerotuy – was also reviewed in depth, but the Commission did not consider measures necessary “at this stage”. The Commission notes, however, that the two carriers will remain subject to increased monitoring.
The Commission notes that “serious concerns” were identified regarding the safety oversight of air carriers licensed in Libya. Intense consultation with the civil aviation authorities of Libya led to the adoption by these authorities of a general ban on flights towards the EU. This restriction is valid until at least 22 November 2012. The Libyan airlines are thus not formally on the black list since the decision has come from the Libyan authorities. Yet, it comes to the same result.
Background
The operations of all carriers certified in 21 states – ie 279 air carriers in total – are fully banned in the EU: Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon (with the exception of three carriers which operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia (with the exception of six carriers), Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier which operates under restrictions and conditions), Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. Although they are not on the blacklist, Libyan air carriers are subject to a ban to fly to the EU, which was adopted by Libyan authorities.
The list also includes five individual carriers: Blue Wing Airlines from Suriname, Meridian Airways from Ghana, Rollins Air from Honduras and Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda and Conviasa from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Additionally, the list includes 11 air carriers which are subject to operational restrictions and allowed to operate into the EU under strict conditions: Air Astana from Kazakhstan; Air Koryo from the Democratic People Republic of Korea; Airlift International from Ghana; Air Service Comores; Afrijet, Gabon Airlines and SN2AG from Gabon; Iran Air; TAAG Angolan Airlines; Air Madagascar; and Jordan Aviation.
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