Tanzania steps up preparations for crucial ICAO audit amid fallout from EU airline ban

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has stepped up its aviation safety oversight preparations ahead of a crucial global audit.

The audit comes as the country grapples with the ramifications of a recent European Union decision to blacklist all its certified airlines.

The director general of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Mr Salim Msangi, has urged aviation stakeholders to accelerate readiness for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA), scheduled for April 8–21, 2026.

Speaking during a high-level preparatory meeting held in Dar es Salaam on July 14, Mr Msangi said the audit is both a mandatory assessment and a chance to reiterate Tanzania’s commitment to international safety standards.

“As a contracting state to ICAO, this audit is not optional. It is a sovereign obligation. But more importantly, it is a platform for us to showcase the progress and maturity of our aviation safety oversight system,” he said.

He noted that although the timeline may appear distant, the reality is that the country has less than two years to prepare for what will be a full-scope audit covering all critical elements of aviation safety, from legislation and personnel licensing to accident investigation and air navigation services.

“In 2017, we scored 67.3 percent, which is above the global average of 60 percent then. But now the global benchmark stands at 75 percent. We have set a national target of over 85 percent. To reach this, we need collective effort and serious commitment,” Mr Msangi said.

EU ban

The ICAO audit takes on added urgency following the EU’s December 2024 move to include all Tanzanian-certified airlines, including Air Tanzania, on its Air Safety List, effectively barring them from operating within EU airspace.

While no Tanzanian airline currently operates flights to Europe, the decision triggered ripples across the tourism and aviation sectors.

According to the European Commission, the listing was based on “serious shortcomings” in Tanzania’s aviation oversight system rather than safety incidents or aircraft conditions.

The concerns centred on regulatory gaps, personnel shortages, and ineffective oversight mechanisms.

The fallout was been immediate. European tour operators began cancelling package deals involving Tanzanian domestic flights.

Insurance complications also emerged, with several European firms reportedly suspending coverage for itineraries involving blacklisted carriers.

Tourism stakeholders warned of potential revenue losses during the high tourist season.

Short-term solutions

To address the crisis, TCAA introduced several short-term measures, including extending traffic rights to foreign carriers like Qatar Airways and Ethiopian Airlines to cover local and regional connections.

Tanzanian airlines were also authorised to enter into codeshare arrangements with certified international carriers to ensure service continuity.

TCAA maintains that safety within Tanzanian airspace remains strong, pointing to the 2017 ICAO audit in which the country scored above the global average.

Mr Msangi stressed that the EU’s concerns were being addressed through enhanced oversight, regulatory reforms, and sustained engagement with international partners.

“This decision does not affect or restrict existing operations of Tanzanian air carriers, as none of them currently flies to or over the EU,” he said.

“However, it is a wake-up call, and we are taking it seriously.”

After the EU ban the government also launched dialogue with the European Commission to secure Tanzania’s removal from the EU Air Safety List.

Officials say upcoming visits by EU aviation experts will be crucial in resolving the regulatory concerns and advancing Air Tanzania’s stalled application for Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation — a prerequisite for flying in EU airspace.