The European Commission updated the European Union’s (EU) Air Safety List in June 2025, temporarily banning Tanzanian airlines.
Abdul Mombokaleo, Director General of the Tanzania Airports Authority (TAA), clarified that the restriction had nothing to do with the condition of Tanzanian aircraft.He emphasized that Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) continues operating flights to several destinations, including Kenya.
Tanzanian Airlines Set to Return to Europe
Tanzanian airlines are expected to soon restart flights to European countries after resolving multiple issues in line with European Union regulations.This comes after Tanzania’s aviation authorities implemented a series of measures to ensure both aircraft and personnel meet EU safety standards.
Once everything is finalized, the national carrier, Air Tanzania, will be the first to launch flights to Europe, The Citizen reported.The move is anticipated to significantly boost trade and tourism for the East African nation.
What Did the TAA Say?
Mombokaleo explained that the EU’s restriction wasn’t about Tanzanian aircraft which are mostly brand-new and modern but rather about aligning air traffic laws.
“Every country and region has its own air traffic regulations that others must comply with to operate in their skies. We’ve been working with our European counterparts to resolve this issue and are making solid progress. Several factors are under review, including climate, weather, and altitude differences,” Mombokaleo told the Tanzania Times.
He added that Air Tanzania is already running both passenger and cargo flights to destinations such as China and India.
The airline’s regional list also includes the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, South Africa, Zambia, and soon, Lagos, Nigeria.
Why Did the EU Ban Tanzanian Airlines?
In June 2025, the European Commission updated the EU Air Safety List.It published a list of 169 airlines banned or restricted from operating in the EU due to noncompliance with safety regulations.During inspections, EU aviation safety experts identified major safety concerns, leading to the blacklisting of all airlines certified in Tanzania and Suriname.
The findings revealed weaknesses in both operational practices and regulatory oversight.
The EU stated that civil aviation authorities in the affected countries were not able to guarantee that air carriers complied with international safety standards.
Tanzania’s Response to the Ban
The EU Air Safety Committee, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the European Parliament’s Transport Committee all unanimously supported blacklisting Tanzania.
In response, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) insisted the decision would not impact current services.The government stressed that the ban only applies to airlines certified in Tanzania foreign carriers flying into the country remain unaffected.Source: TUKO.co.ke