It is good news for Gabon. Its airlines have been removed from the European Union negative list. This would enable the flights from Gabon access the European airports and carry passengers to and from various destinations. Gabon was taken off from the negative list on account of the improvements in the aviation safety in that country. It is almost 11 years since the flights from Gabon was denied access to the Europe. It now makes possible for airlines like the National Regional Transport (NRT), Solenta Aviation Gabon, Tropical Air Gabon and Afrijet Business Service to commence flights to re-commence their flights to Europe, which was prohibited since 2008. .
According to EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean it was a good development on the part of Gabon to focus on air safety to enable their airlines to operate flights to Europe. EU Air Safety List, which governs, among other things, decisions regarding allowing foreign airlines to access European airports, has very stringent provisions to be complied in ensuring air safety.
A number of countries in Africa were denied access to Europe along with Gabon. They include carriers from Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea,.Eritrea, Liberia, Libya, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, and Sudan.. Air lines from these countries have yet to be taken out from the negative list.
In the case of Angola two carriers TAAG Angola Airlines and Heli Malongo have got the clearance to fly to Europe. The rest of the airlines would remain banned from that country. The EU Air Safety List compiles the list of airlines that can comply with international safety standards. Those airlines which do not meet the safety requirements are banned or operational restrictions imposed on them. This way, Europe ensures the highest level of air safety for Europeans and all other passengers travelling to the European Union.
