Two more airlines blacklisted by the EU

The European Union has blacklisted two more airlines, thus effectively banning them from landing at any airport within the EU, citing a series of security and safety concerns. Of the two airlines included in the newest ban, is a Ukrainian carrier, called Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines, and Iran’s Mahan Air. Representatives from both airlines were summoned by the European Commission, in order to address safety concerns cited by several European airports and member states. Apparently, these answers did not satisfy EU officials, and the carriers were thus added to a list of 150 other airlines banned from landing in EU countries, usually after the EU receives official complaints or suggestions for inclusion, from national aviation agencies or authorities.

The vast majority of airlines barred from landing in EU countries are from sub-Saharan Africa, but there are also some from Asia, such as North Korea’s Air Koryo. All airlines based in the Democratic Republic of Congo are also banned, as well as several from Indonesia and the Central Asian Republics, such as Kyrgyzstan. In addition to Ukrainian Mediterranean Airlines, Ukraine’s Volare Aviation Entreprise is also banned from operating within the EU. There is also a second list of airlines which are not banned outright from the EU, but face restrictions in terms of their operations.

It is possible for an airline that has been blacklisted by the EU to regain the confidence of union officials. This is, however, a fairly complicated process, involving the summoning of an international meeting, as well as an inspection of the airline and its aircraft by EU-delegated specialists.