The European Commission on Thursday added all airlines from Libya to a so-called black list of countries whose carriers it has banned from flying in EU airspace. EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc cited the inability of the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority to “fulfill its international obligations” regarding safety as the basis for the EC’s decision. The commission has determined that the Libyan authorities cannot guarantee the safety of its aircraft amid violent clashes between warring factions in the country. “My priority in aviation is passenger safety, which is non-negotiable, and we stand ready to help the Libyan aviation sector as soon as the situation on the ground will allow for this,” said Bulc.

In comments released with an update to the EU’s safety list, which now includes seven airlines from Libya, Bulc noted “progress” by a number of countries whose airlines remain banned, notably the Philippines, Sudan, Mozambique and Zambia. “Hopefully this progress can lead to a positive decision in the future,” said Bulc.

The commission based its decision on Libya on the unanimous opinion of the EU Air Safety Committee, which met on November 25 and 26, and a “positive opinion” from the European Parliament and from the Council of Ministers. The EU Air Safety List contains airlines either considered unable to respect international aviation safety standards or whose civil aviation authorities the commission has deemed unable to provide necessary safety oversight.

The list now contains 310 airlines, 10 of which may operate into the EU under a strict set of conditions and with only certain aircraft types.  

The EU Air Safety Committee consists of aviation safety experts from the commission, from each of the 28 member states of the European Union, as well as from Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).