The European Commission has added to its blacklist of airlines banned from the skies of Europe, following recommendations from air safety experts.
All 51 Indonesian airlines, including national carrier Garuda, and eight from Moldova, six from Bulgaria, Angolan carrier TAAG Angola Airlines and Volare Aviation from Ukraine will be banned from flying to the European Union.
The ban on all Indonesian airlines comes despite none of them operating flights to Europe. Officials claim they are keen to warn travellers overseas of the possible dangers.
Jacques Barrot, the commission’s vice-president in charge of transport, said: “Once more, the EU blacklist will prove to be an essential tool not only to prevent unsafe airlines from flying to Europe and to inform passengers travelling worldwide, but also to make sure that airlines and civil aviation authorities take appropriate actions to improve safety.”
The blacklist is expected to be published within a week and expands on the current 91 airlines, including 74 from Africa, that are not allowed to enter Europe.
