EU - Press release - Unsafe airlines list

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Source: europa.eu.int

Reference: IP/06/359 Date: 22/03/2006

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Brussels, 22 March 2006

European sky protected against unsafe airlines

The European Commission has today adopted the first EU list of airlines which are banned in the European Union[1]. This black list of unsafe airlines will now be published on the Commission’s website. The black list has been compiled on the basis of national contributions and after an in-depth analysis with Member State experts. The list consists of 93 companies which face a complete ban and 3 companies which face operational restrictions. From now on the principle will apply that companies banned in one Member State are banned in the whole EU.

The bans that are now imposed throughout the EU concern both passenger flights and cargo companies. Today’s Commission decision also imposes operational restrictions on three companies which can no longer fly into the EU with specified types of aircraft.

Today’s black list is a first step. The list will be updated as often as is necessary and at least every three months. The Commission has today also adopted the rules for updating the list. If an airline feels that it should be taken off the list because it again complies with safety standards, it should contact the Commission or a Member State. The Committee of Aviation Safety experts will assess the evidence provided by the airline or its supervisory authority. The Commission will take its final decision based on the Committee’s opinion.

The same procedure applies if an airline should be added to the list. Herein, the Commission can act at the request of a Member State or on its own initiative, a right which it did not have for drawing up the first list which is based exclusively on national contributions. The Commission will act upon information gathered by its own services, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Member States or the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Note

In addition to the black list the Commission has also recently proposed to extend the role of EASA (IP/05/1422). That proposal contains the provision for an ex ante certification of compliance of third country operators with essential requirements for operating aircrafts in the EU. No EU Member State currently issues certificates for third country operators. The Commission calls upon Council and European Parliament to approve this proposal.

MEMO/06/127 : Questions and answers on aviation blacklist

Banned list : http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/air ... ist_en.pdf