Brussels, 16/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - Iranian airline Iran Air has been given the green light for most of its aircraft to resume operations in the EU, following the updating of the list of air carriers subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions.
“I am happy to announce that we are now also able to allow most aircraft from Iran Air back into European skies”, said Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc. A technical assessment was carried out in May, following a visit by Bulc to Iran in April (see EUROPE 11534). Iran Air placed what some have prosaically called a “mega-order” for 118 aircraft from Airbus in January of this year in order to modernise its fleet. Most of the company's aircraft had been on the EU's black list since 2010. Only 12 of its aircraft were allowed to enter EU airspace.
Relations between the EU and Iran on aviation are currently becoming closer. During the commissioner's visit in April, Iran indicated a desire to join the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulatory framework on security.
Africa and Indonesia making progress. In addition, all of Zambia's airlines have been removed from the black list, as has Air Madagascar. Botswana was also in the Commission's crosshairs but, thanks to sustained technical cooperation with EASA, it managed to avoid having any of its airlines blacklisted, we have been told. Further, three Indonesian airlines, Citilink, Lion Air and Batik Air, have passed the latest inspections and have been removed from the list.
The updating follows a meeting of member states' safety experts on the EU air safety committee (ASC), under the aegis of the European Commission assisted by EASA, from 31 May to 2 June. The previous update was in December of last year (see EUROPE 11450). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)