Kenya Insights

Tag: Air Tanzania

  • ‪EU Bans Air Tanzania, Unsafe Airline‬

    ‪EU Bans Air Tanzania, Unsafe Airline‬

    Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) has been added to the European Union’s Air Safety List, effectively barring the airline from operating within the EU.

    This is even though the national carrier does not operate any flights to the European Union Zone.

    The EU Air Safety List is a roster of airlines that do not meet the necessary international safety standards and therefore face either operational restrictions or a complete ban from flying within the European Union.

    According to the EU statement issued on Friday, December 13, 2024, Air Tanzania’s inclusion on the list stems from safety issues identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

    The statement says the EU refused to grant Air Tanzania the Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation, which is essential for foreign airlines to operate within EU airspace.

    The statement further says that as part of its aviation safety policy, the Commission ensures that only airlines adhering to strict international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) are allowed to operate in EU airspace.

    Alongside Air Tanzania, airlines from Russia, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq, and North Korea have been banned or subjected to severe operational restrictions.

    While the Commission’s decision is a setback for Air Tanzania, it mirrors a broader trend of holding airlines accountable for not meeting safety expectations.

    The EU’s decision to update the Air Safety List is a result of a comprehensive review conducted by Member State aviation safety experts in Brussels last month.

    This meeting, held from November 19 to 21, 2024, under the guidance of the EU Air Safety Committee, reinforced the importance of international safety compliance.

    The unanimous opinions of the safety experts, alongside support from the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, led to the decision to include Air Tanzania on the banned list.

    As a result, the total number of airlines banned from flying in EU airspace now stands at 129.

    While some airlines, like Iran Air and Air Koryo, face restrictions that limit them to specific aircraft types for EU flights, most of those on the list have been fully barred from flying within the European Union due to serious safety deficiencies.

    Air Tanzania’s path to reenter the European market appears blocked unless substantial improvements are made to meet international safety standards.

    The airline, alongside other carriers on the banned list, will need to address these concerns in collaboration with their national aviation authorities if they hope to regain access to EU skies.

  • Tanzania Lifts Ban On KQ Flights

    Tanzania Lifts Ban On KQ Flights

    Tanzania has rescinded its decision to suspend all passenger flights operated by Kenya Airways (KQ) between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

    The reversal comes after Kenya granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited specifically for all-cargo service.

    Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General Hamza Johari announced the resumption of all cargo services, effective 16th January, 2024.

    “Following the development the auronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its decison of 15 January 2024 and therefore approval of Kenya Airways to operate Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam is hereby restored with immediate effect,” he said.

    On Monday, Tanzania suspended all Kenya Airways passenger flights after Kenya rejected Tanzania’s request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under the Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and third countries.

    “This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorities of Kenya to refuse the Tanzanian request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Third countries, contrary to Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between Tanzania and Kenya signed on 24th November 2016 in Nairobi.” Noted Johari.

    The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) identifies the following freedoms for airlines:

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    ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state or states to fly across its territory without landing (also known as a First Freedom Right).

    ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state or states to land in its territory for non-traffic purposes (also known as a Second Freedom Right).

    ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to put down, in the territory of the first state, traffic coming from the home state of the carrier (also known as a Third Freedom Right).

    ?????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to take on, in the territory of the first state, traffic destined for the home state of the carrier (also known as a Fourth Freedom Right).

    ????? ??????? ?? ??? ??? – the right or privilege, in respect of scheduled international air services, granted by one state to another state to put down and to take on, in the territory of the first state, traffic coming from or destined to a third state (also known as a Fifth Freedom Right).