Commission updates EU Air Safety List: Air Express Algeria added, air carriers from Kyrgyzstan removed

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The Commission published its 48^th update of the EU Air Safety List yesterday. First released in 2006, the EU Air Safety List informs passengers of airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union because they do not meet international safety standards.

All air carriers certified in Kyrgyzstan have now been removed from the List, in recognition of the country’s progress in strengthening its aviation safety oversight over the past 20 years.

At the same time, Air Express Algeria has been included in the List and can no longer operate in the EU. This decision is based on serious safety concerns identified during assessments conducted by EU aviation safety experts, which revealed shortcomings in the airlines’ compliance with international safety standards.

The update of the EU Air Safety List coincides with its 20^th anniversary this year, underlining the importance of continued cooperation between the European Commission, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Member States and international partners in ensuring safer skies worldwide.

Eurobarometer shows strong citizen trust in EU Air Safety List

A new Eurobarometer survey published today shows strong passenger trust in the EU Air Safety List.

The survey finds that seven in ten Europeans consider the EU Air Safety List an effective tool in protecting passengers from unsafe airlines. A large majority (75%) trust the EU to update the List based on safety criteria, without political or economic influence.  

The survey also reveals that air safety-related information reaches a majority of EU travellers (66%), although direct consultation of the List remains limited, with only 12% checking it prior to flying. However, half of Europeans (50%) report being aware of the list.

The EU Air Safety List has a clear impact on behaviour – when an airline is listed, only 8% of Europeans say they would proceed with booking a flight with it. These results are consistent across the EU.

Background

The update to the EU Air Safety List is based on the unanimous opinion of Member State aviation safety experts, who met in Brussels from 19 to 21 May 2026 under the EU Air Safety Committee. This Committee is chaired by the Commission with support from EASA and the European Parliament’s Transport Committee. Decisions under the EU Air Safety List are based on international safety standards, and notably the standards decreed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Following the update, 154 airlines are banned from EU skies:

• 126 airlines certified in 16 countries^[1], due to inadequate safety oversight by the national aviation authorities;
• 22 airlines certified in Russia, as well as 6 individual airlines from other countries, based on serious safety deficiencies identified: Air Express Algeria (Algeria), Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe), Avior Airlines (Venezuela), Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Fly Baghdad (Iraq) and Iraqi Airways (Iraq).

Two additional airlines are subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the EU with specific aircraft types: Iran Air (Iran) and Air Koryo (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea).

The Eurobarometer survey was conducted between 24 February and 1 March 2026. Its purpose is to explore EU citizens’ perceptions of the EU Air Safety List, including public awareness, trust, perceived usefulness as well as behaviour among air travellers.

For more information

Eurobarometer results webpage

Questions & answers on the EU Air Safety List

List of airlines banned within the EU