Air Tanzania joins other airlines like Air Zimbabwe and Iran Aseman Airlines who are blacklisted by the EU. Photo: The East African. Source: UGC
Air Tanzania joins other airlines like Air Zimbabwe and Iran Aseman Airlines who are blacklisted by the EU. Photo: The East African. Source: UGC
The announcement effectively banned the airline from flying to and within the EU due to safety concerns raised by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
According to The East African, EASA determined that Air Tanzania failed to meet international aviation safety standards.
The EU Air Safety List comprises airlines banned from operating in EU airspace due to serious safety deficiencies or inadequate oversight by their local aviation authorities.
Following the latest update, Air Tanzania joins 129 other carriers, including Russia, Zimbabwe, and Iraq airlines, that are barred from EU skies.
"Air Tanzania has been included on the EU Air Safety List. The basis for this decision is safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)," read part of. the statement.
The concerns also led to Air Tanzania being denied a Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Airblue Limited were removed from the EU Air Safety List after the carriers resolved their safety concerns.
However, alongside Air Tanzania, other airlines like Air Zimbabwe and Iran Aseman Airlines remain blacklisted due to continued safety deficiencies.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, emphasized that passenger safety remains the Commission's top priority.
He called on Air Tanzania to swiftly address the safety shortcomings and pledged the EU’s support to Tanzanian authorities in enhancing compliance.
The ban is a significant blow to Air Tanzania's reputation and operations, as the EU Air Safety List is a global critical benchmark for aviation safety.
Airlines on the list face operational restrictions and challenges in gaining passenger trust and international partnerships.
The news sparked a flurry of reactions on social media, with many Kenyans ridiculing their neighbours due to the perceived rivalry between the two nations
"Tanzanians are busy competing with Kenya eti washinde Wakenya 🤣🤣🤣 and Kenyans are busy doing their things. Oona vile kinawaramba."
"Kwa jirani kunawaka moto. Big blow to Diamond Platnumz."
The ban comes weeks after Tanzania's electric train stalled for two hours due to a power outage .Tanzania Railway Corporation (TRC) apologised for the mishap which affected the train from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma.
The power outage occurred between Kilosa and Kidete stations, affecting the standard gauge railway (SGR) service.
Preliminary reports indicate that wildlife, such as monkeys and birds (owls), touching the overhead catenary system (OCS) wires caused the outage.