The European Commission (EC) has expanded its airspace ban on Air Tanzania to include all air carriers certified by the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).
According to the EC, the ban is due to “serious deficiencies in the country’s aviation oversight systems”.
“These include a lack of qualified personnel, ineffective regulatory supervision, and non-compliance with international safety standards,” said the EC in a press release.
As a result of the ban, 34 Tanzanian airlines, including cargo and charter carriers, are banned from operating in European airspace, including the UK.
In January, the EC placed Air Tanzania on its airspace ban list, as reported by Travel News.
According to Zawya, no Tanzanian airline currently operates flights to Europe. However, the ban stunts Air Tanzania’s plans to expand its long-haul network.
Since 2020, when Air Tanzania lost its slots at Gatwick, the airline has tried to resecure them.
The Tanzanian flag carrier had long planned the Gatwick route as part of its broader ambition to expand its long-haul network from Dar es Salaam, which includes routes to Guangzhou, China, and Mumbai, India.