Only days after the adoption of a new Aviation Strategy for Europe, the European Commission has today updated the EU Air Safety List, the list of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union. This list is essential to guarantee the highest level of air safety for European citizens, which is an absolute priority of the Commission. It complements the new authorisation scheme for third country operators, which is being phased-in since June 2015 and will further boost air safety while cutting red-tape.
The updated EU Air Safety List clears Kazakh carrier Air Astana, whose operations in the EU had been restricted since 2009. On the other hand it adds Iraqi Airways due to unaddressed safety concerns.