Tanzania has rejected claims by the European Union that its national airline, Air Tanzania, has been banned from flying in EU airspace. The EU’s decision to add Air Tanzania to its Air Safety List, citing safety concerns identified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), was met with a strong response from the Tanzanian government.
Genson Msigwa, Tanzania’s chief government spokesperson, clarified that Air Tanzania was not operating in EU airspace to begin with, and thus there is no issue of a “ban.” He explained that the airline is currently working with European authorities to obtain the necessary permissions for future flights into EU territories. Msigwa emphasized that the airline’s efforts to gain approval should not be misinterpreted as being blocked.
The EU’s Air Safety List includes several African airlines due to concerns over inadequate safety oversight by their respective aviation authorities. The EU’s airline assessments are based on international safety standards, drawing from organizations like the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and EASA.