The European Commission has adopted the 17th update of the list of airlines banned in the European Union. There are four all-cargo air carriers from Indonesia and one air carrier from Ukraine which have been removed from the list as safety concerns have been satisfactorily addressed. However, all air carriers certified in Mozambique have been banned from flying into the EU as have the operations of Air Madagascar for two specific aircraft because of significant safety deficiencies requiring decisive action in both cases.

Following the unanimous opinion of the Air Safety Committee, the Commission has adopted this new update of the list of airlines banned in the EU. The Committee also examined various cases of European air carriers. The Commission is urging the authorities in several Member States to further enhance their oversight of these air carriers to ensure that all airlines established in Europe operate at the highest safety levels. The same Committee urged the Commission to intensify its dialogue on aviation safety matters with the Russian Federation to ensure that all aircraft flying into the EU comply with international standards.

The updated European list includes all carriers certified in 21 states, accounting for 269 known air carriers, whose operations are fully banned in the European Union: Afghanistan, Angola, Benin, Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon (with the exception of three carriers which operate under restrictions and conditions), Indonesia (with the exception of six carriers), Kazakhstan (with the exception of one carrier which operates under restrictions and conditions), the Kyrgyz Republic, Liberia, Mauritania, Mozambique, Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Swaziland and Zambia. There are also three individual carriers: Blue Wing Airlines from Surinam, Meridian Airways from Ghana, and Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda. Additionally, the list includes ten air carriers which are allowed to operate into the EU under strict restrictions and subject to conditions: Air Astana from Kazakhstan, as mentioned before; Air Koryo from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea; Airlift International from Ghana; Air Service Comores, Afrijet, Gabon Airlines and SN2AG from Gabon; Iran Air; TAAG Angolan Airlines; and Air Madagascar certified in Madagascar.

The Commission is committed to supporting better compliance with international safety standards whenever possible and has in this perspective mandated the European Aviation Safety Agency to carry out a series of technical assistance missions to support the competent authorities of a number of states, in their efforts to enhance safety and address any safety concerns.