The European Union has banned all airlines certified in Suriname and Tanzania from flying in EU airspace. This decision was announced on June 3, 2025, after safety experts found serious problems with how these countries manage aviation safety. The ban means that no airline from Suriname or Tanzania can operate flights to or within the EU.
The ban comes after inspections showed that both countries failed to meet international safety standards. Experts found issues with how their civil aviation authorities check and control airline operations. The problems included a lack of trained staff, weak safety rules, and poor supervision of aircraft and flight operations.
As a result, the EU added Suriname and Tanzania to its Air Safety List. This list includes airlines and countries that do not meet the safety standards required to fly in the European Union. With this update, the total number of banned airlines has reached 169. This includes airlines banned due to poor national safety oversight and others banned due to individual safety failures.
According to the European Commission, both Suriname and Tanzania failed to make sure their certified air carriers follow international rules. This affects not only the airlines but also the safety of passengers, flight crews, and aircraft operating in or near EU airspace. While the EU recognizes the importance of international travel, it also places strong focus on protecting public safety.
In addition to Suriname and Tanzania, there are 142 airlines from 17 countries already banned due to problems with their national aviation authorities. These countries are known for not having strong systems in place to monitor safety. There are also 22 Russian airlines banned due to ongoing safety concerns and political restrictions following the war in Ukraine.
The list also includes five individual airlines from other countries. These are Air Zimbabwe from Zimbabwe, Avior Airlines from Venezuela, Iran Aseman Airlines from Iran, Fly Baghdad from Iraq, and Iraqi Airways, also from Iraq. These airlines were banned due to serious safety problems found in their operations.
In some cases, airlines are not completely banned but are only allowed to fly into the EU with certain aircraft types. This limited approval currently applies to Iran Air from Iran and Air Koryo from North Korea. These airlines can still operate in the EU but only under strict conditions.
The EU updates its Air Safety List two times a year. The decision to ban a country or airline is not taken lightly. It follows deep technical reviews by safety experts from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and other international groups. The focus is always on protecting passengers and improving aviation standards worldwide.
Travelers planning to fly with airlines from Suriname or Tanzania should check their bookings. Flights into or over EU territory by these airlines are now blocked. The ban also affects cargo flights and could cause delays or changes to travel plans. People are advised to contact their airlines or travel agents for more information.
Suriname and Tanzania must now work to improve their safety systems. This includes training staff, fixing laws and rules, and showing that their airlines meet international safety standards. Only after clear progress is made can the ban be removed.
The European Commission says it is open to helping both countries make these changes. Support may include technical advice and help with building better safety systems. However, until solid results are shown, the ban will stay in place.
The EU Air Safety List is an important tool to protect the skies. It helps make sure that all airlines flying in the region follow strict safety rules. Passengers flying in Europe can feel safer knowing that these checks are in place.
