AVIATION/ EU UPDATES BLACKLIST

The European Commission has updated its list of blacklisted Airlines, and Middle Eastern carriers YEMENIA AIRWAYS and EGYPTAIR have both avoided being banned at this time. Both carriers have been under increased scrutiny the last several months. Yemenia's case has been discussed by the air safety committee responsible for drawing up the blacklist, notably following the fatal crash of one of their A310 aircraft in June, but it has concluded that the Airline should remain flying within the EU. EgyptAir had also been warned of possible restrictions over concerns about the number of safety issues turning up during inspections. The carrier was not placed on the blacklist, but will continue to be monitored. But, the newly revised list extends a European blanket ban to another 3 countries - the Republic of Congo, Sao Tome and Principe, and Djibouti - after the identification of deficiencies in safety oversight by the national regulators. The extension means that practically all Airlines, from a total of 15 countries, are forbidden from conducting European Union operations. 3 Ukrainian carriers have been lifted from the blacklist, although 2 of those, UKRAINE CARGO AIRWAYS and VOLARE, were removed by default, having had their air operator's certificates withdrawn. Ukraine's MOTOR-SICH AIRLINES has been removed from the list after the "receipt of certain information" from Ukrainian authorities, says the Commission. It added that UKRAINIAN MEDITERREAN AIRLINES, aka UM AIR, has had restrictions partially lifted, but is still only allowed to operate a single Boeing MD83 within Europe. The Commission said that progress on addressing concerns at Angolan flag-carrier TAAG, has also resulted in the carrier's being permitted to operate 4 Boeing 737-700 aircraft on European services in addition to its Boeing 777s.