The European Commission has published the 48th update of the EU Air Safety List, removing all airlines certified in Kyrgyzstan while adding Air Express Algeria to the list of carriers banned from operating in the European Union.
The removal of Kyrgyz carriers marks the end of a 20-year period during which the country’s airlines were effectively barred from EU skies. The Commission said the decision reflects significant improvements in Kyrgyzstan’s aviation safety oversight and regulatory framework, following extensive reforms and international assessments.
In contrast, Air Express Algeria has been prohibited from operating within the EU after aviation safety experts identified serious shortcomings in its compliance with international safety standards during inspections and evaluations.
Following the update, a total of 154 airlines remain banned from EU airspace. This includes:
- 126 airlines certified in 16 countries where aviation oversight is considered inadequate.
- 22 Russian-certified airlines.
- Six individual airlines from other countries, including Air Express Algeria, Air Zimbabwe, Avior Airlines, Iran Aseman Airlines, Fly Baghdad and Iraqi Airways.
Two carriers remain subject to partial restrictions rather than a full ban: Iran Air and Air Koryo may operate only with specific approved aircraft types.
The update coincides with the 20th anniversary of the EU Air Safety List, first introduced in 2006. A new Eurobarometer survey found that 70% of Europeans view the list as an effective passenger protection tool, while 75% trust the EU to make listing decisions based on safety considerations rather than political or economic factors. Although only 12% of travellers actively consult the list before flying, half of Europeans are aware of its existence.
Perhaps most notably, the survey found that only 8% of Europeans would still book a flight with an airline if they knew it was on the EU Air Safety List, demonstrating the blacklist’s strong influence on passenger confidence and booking decisions.