European Union bans numerous airlines based in Africa
The European Union has issued a black list of airlines that it deems unsafe to fly, and effectively bans from its airspace. Passenger and cargo airlines based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, Swaziland and Liberia are banned from flying into Europe, while specific airlines from other countries are also included.
The only exception made in the DRC is for Hewa Bora Airways, which is allowed to use one approved aircraft for its services to Europe. Air Mauritania on the other hand has been given a two month grace period to meet EU safety standards, while Buraq Air of Libya is only allowed to operate certain planes that have met safety requirements.
