Middle Eastern operator Jordan Aviation has been partly banned from the European Union, a prohibition which extends to three of the carrier's Boeing 767s, but Angolan operator TAAG's two Boeing 777-300ERs have been cleared.
Restrictions on Jordan Aviation followed the discovery of "numerous and repeated safety deficiencies", said the European Commission in its latest blacklist revision.
TAAG has gradually had restrictions lifted since its European ban in 2007. The Commission said the addition of the two 777s to TAAG's approved operations was "thanks to further improvements in the safety performance" of the carrier.
Strengthening of safety measures in Russia and Albania, including internal action against carriers, mean the Commission has not imposed its own limitations on airlines from either state.
"Both Russia and Albania have taken swift decisions to ban airlines themselves," said a Commission spokeswoman.
Russia's VIM-Avia has been restricted from EU operations until April 2012, while Yakutia and Tatarstan Airlines also face limitations, she said.
While the Commission and its air safety committee were "very concerned" with Albanian safety oversight, the air operator's certificate for Albanian Airlines has been revoked and an aircraft from the Belle Air fleet has been withdrawn.
Its revised blacklist also bans the operations of Honduran operator Rollins Air, which has a diverse fleet including a Boeing 737-200, Lockheed L-1011s, and regional turboprops. This ban followed safety concerns initially raised by French authorities.
Twenty-one countries still have a blanket ban on flights to the European Union, and the Commission said this encompasses some 273 airlines.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
