EC Blacklists Afghan Airlines

The European Commission has added all Afghan airlines to its blacklist of carriers that are banned from European airspace. The EC's decision regarding Afghanistan was due to “safety deficiencies identified in its system to oversee civil aviation and on several carriers.” Ariana Afghan Airlines was already on the blacklist, while Kam Air was banned by several European countries on an individual basis. The list now also includes the country’s other main carriers—Safi Airways and Pamir Airways. “The commission recognizes the efforts of the Afghan government and its commitment to reform the present civil aviation oversight system and improve safety,” the EC stated on Nov. 23. “It is ready to provide active support to this reform in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization.” Safi Airways stated even before the official announcement that it planned to buy a European air operator’s certificate to continue its services with its own aircraft. Ariana wet-leases aircraft for its European services. “Due to persisting deficiencies regarding the operations and maintenance of the air carrier Mauritania Airways, identified in the course of ramp inspections carried out in several EU member states,” the EC also put North Africa’s Mauritania Airways on the list.