The European Commission has updated its Air Safety List, a list of airlines banned from operating in the European Union (EU) over health and safety concerns. All airlines certified in Kyrgyzstan have now been removed from the safety list. Air Express Algeria has been added, however.
What Has Been Announced?
The EU has regularly updated its Air Safety List since it was first published in 2006, with the stated aim of ensuring EU safety regulations meet international standards.
The list can either ban individual airlines from operating within EU airspace and using airports within EU member states or prohibit EU operations for all airlines based in a certain country.
This update is the first time that Kyrgyzstan has been removed from the Air Safety List and allows the country’s airlines to expand its operations into Europe.
According to the EU, the decision to remove Kyrgyzstan from the list was made:
“in recognition of the country’s progress in strengthening its aviation safety oversight.”
Air Express Algeria was added to the list due to:
“serious safety concerns identified during assessments conducted by EU aviation experts” according to the EU commission, who stated their investigations “revealed shortcomings in the airline’s compliance with international safety standards.”
This decision will have no impact on Algeria’s other airlines which currently operate in the EU, such as Air Algerie.
How is the Safety List Decided?
The EU’s Air Safety List is compiled by the EU Air Safety Committee, which comprises aviation experts from all 27 EU member states. It also receives input from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.
There are currently 16 countries on the Air Safety List after the committee found issues with the aviation regulation processes. All Russian airlines are also banned within the EU, along with six individual airlines, now including Air Express Algeria.
Iran Air and Air Koryo (based in South Korea) are also subject to operational restrictions and are only legally able to fly to the EU with specific aircraft types.
Have you ever flown with Air Express Algeria? Are you planning on flying to Kyrgyzstan? Share your perspective in the comments.
