European Union (EU) lifts ban on aircrafts registered in Zambia

THE European Union (EU) has lifted the ban on Zambian registered aircrafts which was effected in 2009.

This meant that aircrafts registered in Zambia were not allowed to fly to the European Union because of safety concerns. This ban had a negative impact on the development of the aviation and tourism sectors in Zambia.

This is according to a statement issued by the EU in Brussels today when the group updated its air safety list that seeks that air safety for its citizens meets the highest standards.

“Following today’s update, all airlines certified in Zambia are cleared from the list, along with Air Madagascar and three airlines certified in Indonesia (Citilink, Lion Air and Batik Air). In addition most aircraft of Iran Air are allowed to resume operations to the EU,” reads the statement in part.

EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said: “Aviation safety is my top priority and today’s update illustrates our continuous efforts to offer the highest level of air safety to European citizens. I am happy to say that after seven years of work and extensive European technical assistance, we were able to clear all Zambian air carriers from the list back into European skies.”

The EU Air Safety List not only helps to maintain high levels of safety in the EU, but it also helps affected countries to improve their levels of safety, in order for them to eventually be taken off the list. In addition, the Air Safety List has become a major preventive tool, as it motivates countries with safety problems to act upon them before a ban under the Air Safety List would become necessary.