The European Union (EU) publishes a list of air carriers that are banned from entering the airspace of any of its member states, usually for failing to meet EU regulatory oversight standards. The first version of the list was published in 2006, on the legal basis of Regulation No. 474/2006 of the European Commission, issued on 22 March of that year. The current version of the list was published on 30 May 2024.[1]
The process by which an air carrier is listed is laid out in Regulation (EC) No 2111/2005 of the European Parliament and Council. It involves consultation among the regulatory agencies of the member states, the institutions of the European Community, the authorities with responsibility for regulatory oversight of the air carrier concerned, and the air carrier itself. Before being listed, each air carrier has the right of appeal. The list is subject to periodic review.
In June 2016, all restrictions on Air Madagascar, Iran Air, Lion Air, Citilink, Batik Air, and all Zambian airlines were removed from the list of air carriers banned in the EU.[2]
On 30 November 2017, Avior Airlines from Venezuela was added to the list because of "unaddressed safety deficiencies." No further details were given at the time.[3]
On 14 June 2018, all remaining Indonesian airlines not already removed from the list were removed from the list of air carriers banned in the EU.[4]
On 3 February 2019, Turkmenistan Airlines was banned from European Union airspace, "pending confirmation that it meets international air safety standards",[5] but the ban was lifted on 16 October 2019.[6]
On 8 December 2019, Gabon's airlines were removed from the list, while the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee was "put under heightened scrutiny because of signs of a decrease in safety oversight",[7] and a new update to the list was published on the next day.
As of January 2020, Syria’s airlines are not specifically mentioned on the list, but in practice there is a ban against them in the context of the general EU sanctions against Syria.[8]
On 30 June 2020, EASA suspended Pakistan International Airlines authorisation to operate to the EU member states for a period of 6 months to Europe after the crash of flight PK8303 and subsequent PIA Pilot License scandal.[9] In late 2020 and early 2021, the ban was extended by another three months and later indefinitely.[10] [11] In mid 2023, PIA reportedly passed an initial online EASA Safety Audit[12] with in-person visit by EASA team scheduled for late November 2023.[13] [14] As of 30 November 2023, PIA does not figure on the EU Air Safety List.[15]
In response to the government of Belarus forcing Ryanair Flight 4978 to divert and land in Minsk to arrest dissident Roman Protasevich, EU leaders announced that they would ban Belarusian carriers from using EU airspace and vice versa on 24 May 2021.[16]
In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen announced that Russian owned, Russian registered or Russian controlled aircraft would not be permitted to take-off, land, or overfly EU airspace.[17]
Banned air carriers could be permitted to exercise traffic rights by using wet-leased aircraft of an air carrier which is not subject to an operating ban, provided that the relevant safety standards are complied with. The list includes the following airlines, with the airline license having been issued in the respective countries:
| Country | Banned airlines | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Afghanistan | All | Banned in 2010 for lacking a viable aviation safety regime.[18] | |
 Angola | All except TAAG Angola Airlines and Heli Malongo Airways | ||
 Armenia | All | ||
 Belarus | All | Ban in response to the diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 to Minsk.[19] The ban has also been extended due to involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. | |
| All | |||
| All | |||
 Djibouti | All | ||
 Equatorial Guinea | All | CEIBA Intercontinental operates flights to Madrid via a wetlease with White Airways | |
 Eritrea | All | ||
| Iran Aseman Airlines | Iran Air is subject to restrictions under Annex B. | ||
 Iraq | Fly Baghdad | ||
 Kyrgyzstan | All | ||
 Liberia | All | ||
 Libya | All | ||
 Nepal | All | Banned - Single authority for aviation regulation and operation creates conflict of interest.[20] | |
| All | Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[21] | ||
| All | |||
 Sierra Leone | All | ||
 Sudan | All | ||
 Suriname | Blue Wing Airlines | ||
| All | Banned as part of the general EU sanctions against Syria.[22] | ||
 Turkey | Southwind Airlines | Banned for suspected ties to Russia.[23] | |
| Avior Airlines | |||
 Zimbabwe | Air Zimbabwe |
Annex B of the EU list covers airlines which are restricted to operating only certain aircraft within the EU.
| Country of operator | Restricted airlines | Aircraft permitted | Country of aircraft registry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran Air | All except all Fokker 100 and Boeing 747 aircraft currently on its AOC | ||
| Air Koryo | 2 Tupolev Tu-204 registered P-632, P-633 | ||