The European Commission has banned Air Express Algeria from operating in European Union airspace, adding the carrier to its air safety blacklist over serious concerns about its compliance with international aviation standards. 

The decision came in the latest update to the EU Air Safety List, following an assessment by European aviation safety experts who identified significant shortcomings in the airline's safety record.

The same update, however, brought good news for Kyrgyzstan, as all airlines certified by the Central Asian country were removed from the blacklist — a recognition of years of sustained progress in aviation safety oversight.

The EU said the list now covers 154 banned airlines, including carriers flagged for individual safety deficiencies as well as those affected by broader national regulatory failures.

The update of the EU Air Safety List coincides with the publication of a new Eurobarometer survey showing strong passenger trust in the List.

The contrasting decisions highlight how the blacklist functions both as a punitive tool and an incentive for reform—with Air Express Algeria becoming the latest carrier singled out by European regulators, while Kyrgyzstan's removal demonstrates that airlines can return from the list once authorities regain confidence in a country's oversight capabilities.

Source: Commission européenne