Information for passengers: air carriers’ identity

KEY POINTS

• An airline is placed on the banned list if it is found to have serious safety deficiencies and fails to correct them.
• Common EU criteria based on relevant safety standards exist to determine whether an operating ban should be imposed. The European Commission may amend these in the light of scientific and technical developments.
• If unforeseen safety problems arise, an EU country may impose an immediate ban on an airline.
• Airlines are given the opportunity to be heard if the Commission adopts decisions to place an air carrier on the banned list.
• The list is published in the EU’s Official Journal. The Commission and EU countries must facilitate public access to the list, notably via the internet. Civil aviation authorities and airports must also make the public aware of it.
• Ticket sellers, tour operators and travel agents must inform passengers of the identity of the airline that is planned to be used for their travel when they make their bookings. Passengers must be informed of any subsequent changes as soon as possible and, at the latest, at check-in or when boarding.
• Passengers are entitled to reimbursement or re-routing if the airline is placed on the banned list after they make their booking.

In December 2015, the Commission published a comprehensive aviation strategy for Europe. In addition to looking to improve the sector’s competitiveness, the strategy emphasises the importance of maintaining high safety and security standards and protection of passengers’ rights.

By November 2016, each non-EU airline flying to the EU will need to have a single air safety authorisation issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency. These authorisations validate airlines’ compliance with international safety standards and are valid throughout the EU.