Air Express Algeria put on EU’s blacklist
Specialised in relaying oil sites, the Algerian private company Air Express Algeria has been blacklisted from the European Union’s airspace on the 9th of June.
According to government-friendly Algerie 360, Air Express Algeria has been barred from access to the EU for security reasons and a lack of adherence to European aviation standards.
Created in 2002 and based at the Krim Belkacem airport in Hassi Messaoud, Air Express Algeria offers many different services such as private travel, sanitary evacuation services and relaying oil and gas sites. The airline prides itself on being equipped for difficult climate conditions such as deserts.
The decision was made by the European Commission. During the redaction of the 48th version of its aerial security document, the European executive decided to ban the airline. The commission stated its role is to stop transporters and companies which do not comply with and respect international security norms.
The document states that Air Express Algeria presents important security issues, brought to light by the audit led by experts from the European Union.
The blacklisting of the company is strictly based on the norms established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICA). First published in 2006, the EU air safety lists aim to create a safer airspace by strictly restricting international norms. The list becomes somewhat of an incentive for international air companies to respect international norms, otherwise losing access to an important market.
With this new updated document, the number of companies banned from the European Union airspace has gone up to 154. Some national and smaller companies are officially banned, such as Air Zimbabwe, Iran Aseman Airlines, Iraqi Airways and Fly Baghdad. These decisions are taken unanimously by all air travel experts representing the different EU states.
Algeria’s main international company, Air Algérie, is not concerned with any of these restrictions.
Algerie 360, Maghrebi.org
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