Aviation authority eases concerns as EU ban on Tanzanian airlines threatens travel disruptions

The European Commission, through its Air Safety Committee, announced on June 4 that it had added all Tanzanian air carriers to its Air Safety List, citing "serious shortcomings in national aviation oversight" by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

Though no Tanzanian airline currently operates direct flights to or from Europe, the impact of the ban is far-reaching.

Tourism sector feels immediate pressure

The listing effectively prohibits Tanzanian airlines from being used in package tours sold by European operators.

This restriction, tourism stakeholders say, has already led to cancellations, booking disruptions, and growing concern among overseas partners.

“This issue is not theoretical — it’s immediate, real, and disruptive,” said Mr Willbard Chambulo, Chairman of the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO). “We are already seeing the knock-on effects, especially among high-value clients who require convenience and confidence.”

Chambulo added that some European partners have informed local operators that travel insurance becomes void if tourists fly with blacklisted carriers — even within Tanzania. This applies to both tourists’ personal insurance and liability coverage held by the travel agents.

An email reviewed by The Citizen from a major German tour operator confirms the extent of the disruption.

“As you are aware, all Tanzanian airlines were placed on the EU Air Safety List by the European Commission this week,” it read. “This means we can no longer transport our guests from Arusha to Zanzibar after safari.”

The email went on to warn of mass cancellations, estimating that up to 600 bookings could be lost within days. “The first operators have already cancelled current travel dates to Tanzania without replacement,” the email note added.

Another Arusha-based tour operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, called on TCAA to issue stronger public reassurances.

“We’re facing a rising number of cancellations, particularly for trips linking safari circuits to Zanzibar,” he said. “Unofficial explanations aren’t enough. We need an authoritative voice to calm the market.”

For Tanzania, where many tourists arrive on long-haul international flights and rely on domestic connections to reach destinations like the Serengeti or Zanzibar, seamless travel is key.

Industry players say the listing undercuts the country’s competitive advantage in offering integrated safari and beach experiences.

Brussels: Oversight gaps

European officials insist the ban is not due to crashes or mechanical failures, but rather weaknesses in the regulatory systems. European Commissioner for Transport, Mr Apostolos Tzitzikostas, said the move was rooted in safety oversight concerns, not the condition of the aircraft themselves.

“Passenger safety remains our absolute priority,” he stated. “Following a detailed technical assessment, the EU added all air carriers certified in Tanzania to the EU Air Safety List due to serious shortcomings in national aviation oversight.”

Because of these issues, European tour operators are legally required to inform clients about the blacklist and offer alternatives, including refunds or rerouting.

 According to Hervé Tilmont, Director General of France’s Syndicat des Entreprises du Tour-Operating (Seto), “Insurers will not cover any incident involving a blacklisted airline. That’s a legal and commercial risk no operator can ignore.”

TCAA responds with assurance and action

In response, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has moved quickly to reassure the public and the international market that air connectivity within and to Tanzania remains intact.

In a public notice issued on June 18, TCAA Director General Salim Msangi emphasised that the EU ban only applies to Tanzanian-registered airlines and does not affect foreign carriers operating in the country.

“We urge the travelling public not to cancel their bookings to Tanzania following the announcement,” he said.

To mitigate disruptions caused by the EU airline blacklist, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has rolled out a series of temporary, facilitative measures aimed at maintaining smooth travel and protecting the tourism sector.

As part of these efforts, TCAA has granted extended traffic rights to Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines for a six-month period, enabling them to bolster local and regional flight connections across Tanzania.

In addition, Tanzanian-registered airlines have been given regulatory clearance to enter into codeshare agreements and block permit arrangements with internationally compliant carriers. This allows domestic routes to continue operating under the umbrella of certified international operators, helping to maintain service continuity and meet insurance requirements.

TCAA is also actively engaging with key tourism stakeholders, local air operators, and development partners to ensure a coordinated response and to minimize any commercial disruptions resulting from the blacklist.

Meanwhile, the government, through TCAA and the Ministry of Transport, is in ongoing dialogue with the European Commission to address the identified oversight shortcomings. The ultimate goal of these discussions is to ensure Tanzania’s prompt removal from the EU Air Safety List.

Director General Msangi reaffirmed that the aviation sector remains compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and continues to prioritize passenger safety.

TAOA highlights insurance challenges

Meanwhile, the Tanzania Aviation Operators Association (TAOA) has issued a cautionary circular warning of insurance-related ripple effects even for operators not flying into EU airspace.

“The listing may lead to higher premiums, restricted coverage, or outright policy rejection — especially for package travel involving Tanzanian domestic flights,” TAOA said in the June 18 notice.

The risk, it said, extends to balloon safaris, charter services, and other adventure operators who depend heavily on European insurance partners. TAOA urged immediate consultation with insurance providers to understand policy implications and secure contingency arrangements.

The association also cautioned against misinformation. “Unverified reports can cause unnecessary panic. We urge all stakeholders to rely on official updates from TCAA and TAOA,” the statement said.

As Tanzania seeks to reassure visitors and partners, industry leaders say restoring trust — and the country’s status with the EU — will take urgent, transparent, and collaborative action.

“The ban is a wake-up call,” said a senior aviation consultant. “It’s not just about fixing oversight. It’s about protecting Tanzania’s reputation as a world-class destination.”

With the high season underway, the pressure is on to stabilise the sector, maintain service reliability, and convince global partners that Tanzania remains a safe, accessible, and welcoming destination.