By Business Insider Reporter
The European Commission has added all air carriers certified in Tanzania and Suriname to the EU Air Safety List, effectively banning them from operating within EU airspace due to serious safety concerns.
This move follows a recent update to the EU Air Safety List, which now includes 169 airlines worldwide banned from flying in Europe. Here is EU air safety list.
The decision, announced today June 4, 2025, stems from assessments conducted by EU aviation safety experts that revealed significant regulatory and operational weaknesses in Tanzania’s civil aviation sector.
According to the Commission, the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) was found to be non-compliant with key international safety standards as outlined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Shortcomings include ineffective oversight, a shortage of qualified aviation safety inspectors, and failures in monitoring flight operations and aircraft airworthiness.
“Passenger safety remains our top priority,” said EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas. “We urge Tanzania and Suriname to urgently address these issues. The Commission is ready to support them toward full compliance with global safety norms.”
This decision is a significant blow to Tanzania’s aviation sector, which has expanded in recent years with national carrier Air Tanzania attempting to broaden its international footprint.
It also comes at a time when the country is investing in airport infrastructure and new aircraft, raising questions about regulatory capacity to match growth.
The European Commission’s decision was based on recommendations made by the EU Air Safety Committee, which met in Brussels from May 13–15, and was supported by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.
Tanzania now joins a list of 17 countries whose national carriers are banned from flying in the EU due to inadequate oversight.
These include Nepal, Libya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Afghanistan, among others.
Aviation analysts warn that unless swift reforms are implemented, the ban could harm Tanzania’s tourism and investment sectors, which rely heavily on international connectivity and reputation.
Efforts are now expected from the Tanzanian government to review and upgrade its aviation safety regime, potentially through cooperation with ICAO, the African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC), and EASA. The TCAA had not yet issued an official response at the time of publication.
