EU Bans All Airlines from Tanzania and Suriname

EU Bans All Airlines from Tanzania and Suriname

The European Commission (EC) has expanded the EU Air Safety List to include a comprehensive ban on all airlines certified in Tanzania and Suriname. This decisive action reflects the EU’s commitment to upholding rigorous aviation safety standards amid concerns over insufficient regulatory oversight by the aviation authorities in both countries.

Scope and Impact of the Ban

Effective June 3, the updated list now encompasses 36 Tanzanian and 9 Surinamese carriers, covering the entirety of their certified airlines. Among those affected is Surinam Airways, the national flag carrier of Suriname. Despite the ban, Surinam Airways will continue its direct service between Paramaribo International Airport and Amsterdam Schiphol. This exception is possible because the route is operated using an Airbus A340-600 aircraft wet-leased from USC, a German ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider. Steven Gonesh, acting CEO of Surinam Airways, confirmed that while the Paramaribo-Amsterdam service will remain uninterrupted, the airline will discontinue its route between Paramaribo and Cayenne, French Guiana.

The ban specifically targets the airlines’ own operations, permitting flights to the EU only if conducted with aircraft wet-leased from carriers that comply with EU safety standards. Surinam Airways recently underwent a Third-Country Operators (TCO) re-certification audit by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in February. Although minor issues were identified, all corrective action plans have been accepted by EASA and are currently being finalized.

Regarding Tanzanian carriers, the EU had previously banned Air Tanzania in December 2024 due to safety concerns. The current update extends this prohibition to all Tanzanian airlines, although none currently operate long-haul flights to Europe.

Broader Context of the EU Air Safety List Update

With this revision, the total number of airlines on the EU Air Safety List rises to 169. Of these, 142 carriers from 17 countries are banned primarily due to systemic deficiencies in their national aviation oversight frameworks. The EU Air Safety List remains a critical tool in protecting passenger safety by restricting operations of airlines that do not meet internationally recognized safety standards. This comprehensive approach underscores the EU’s proactive stance in mitigating aviation safety risks and ensuring that only carriers adhering to stringent criteria are permitted to operate within its airspace.