TATO Engages EU to Address Ban on Tanzania Licensed Airlines from EU Airspace

Prepared by: TATO Communications Team
Date: June 25, 2025

The Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO), the leading voice of Tanzania’s private tourism sector, continues to advocate for a favorable business environment by engaging directly with global stakeholders on critical issues. On June 25, 2025, TATO held a high-level consultative meeting with the European Union (EU) Delegation in Tanzania to address the EU ban on Tanzania licensed airlines from EU airspace—a decision with far-reaching consequences for Tanzania’s tourism sector.

This meeting brought together representatives from TATO, TASOTA (Tanzania Society of Travel Agents), and a seven-nation EU delegation led by Ms. Paola Trevisan, the Infrastructure and Regional Cooperation lead. The discussion was prompted by the European Commission’s May 2025 decision to blacklist all Tanzanian licensed airlines and balloon safari companies from operating in EU airspace, following a technical audit by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Background on the EU ban on Tanzania licensed airlines from EU airspace

According to the EU, the ban was issued after EASA and the EU Parliament’s Transport Committee concluded a comprehensive safety assessment of Tanzania’s aviation oversight systems. The findings were concerning: the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) lacked qualified personnel, effective regulatory supervision, and sufficient compliance with international safety standards.

This decision resulted in the EU ban on Tanzania licensed airlines from EU airspace—a decision with far-reaching consequences for Tanzania’s tourism sector., affecting not only the aviation sector but rippling through tourism operators, safari companies, and associated hospitality businesses.

TATO’s Position and Proposals

Representing the tourism industry’s concerns were TATO Chairman Mr. Wilbard Chambulo and Executive Director Mr. Elirehema Maturo. TATO used the platform to present the adverse impacts the ban has already had on the industry:

• Balloon safari operators and charter service companies are experiencing booking cancellations.
• Tour operators are facing a decline in client confidence from European markets.
• Financial losses are already mounting across member companies, with ripple effects expected in non-EU markets if the perception of safety risks spreads.

TATO proposed a collaborative solution, requesting:

1. A six-month grace period for TCAA to align with EU standards.
2. That individual operators, including balloon companies and airlines, be assessed separately to allow deserving businesses to be removed from the blacklist.
3. Greater technical and financial support from the EU to assist Tanzania’s aviation industry in meeting regulatory benchmarks.

Key Outcomes and Way Forward

The EU Delegation acknowledged the concerns raised and expressed willingness to explore cooperative measures. The following resolutions and actions were agreed upon:

• The EU Delegation in Tanzania will communicate the private sector’s concerns to EU headquarters in Brussels.
• The European Commission will consider re-evaluating individual airlines and balloon safari operators, potentially allowing those who meet requirements to resume operations in EU airspace.
• TATO will coordinate further engagement sessions with EU officials and TCAA.
• TATO will also gather quantitative data from affected members to substantiate the case for lifting the ban on compliant operators.

Please find the link to the EU issues that attracted the ban for your perusal: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1144/oj/eng

This marks a critical milestone in efforts to reverse the EU ban on Tanzania licensed airlines from EU airspace—a decision with far-reaching consequences for Tanzania’s tourism sector. and protect the integrity of Tanzania’s tourism offerings.

The Economic Significance of Tourism and Aviation

Tourism is one of Tanzania’s most vital sectors:

• Contributes over 17% to national GDP.
• Generated a record-breaking $3.9 billion in revenue in 2024.
• Attracted over 2.1 million international and 3.2 million domestic tourists.
• Accounts for nearly 30% of Zanzibar’s GDP.
• Provides direct and indirect employment to more than 1.5 million Tanzanians.

Air transport and balloon safaris are indispensable to delivering the authentic, immersive experiences that attract high-value travelers. The EU ban for Tanzania licensed airlines from flying EU airspace jeopardizes not just transportation logistics, but the global competitiveness of Tanzania’s safari and luxury travel product.

TATO’s Broader Role in Safeguarding the Sector

TATO’s commitment goes far beyond this one issue. Its key pillars—advocacy & lobbying, research & marketing, consultancy & training, and information sharing—are continuously leveraged to advance the sector’s interests.

In this case, TATO demonstrated its strength in:

• Advocacy and Lobbying: By initiating the EU engagement and proposing actionable solutions.
• Information Sharing: By alerting members early and facilitating coordination among operators and stakeholders.
• Consultancy and Training: By supporting members in understanding evolving compliance expectations and preparing them to adapt.
• Research and Data Collection: By gathering business impact data to strengthen its position in discussions with regulators.

Looking Ahead: Next Steps

To further support the resolution of this issue, TATO urges its members to:

• Continue sharing impact data and financial losses experienced due to the EU ban on Tanzania licensed airlines from EU airspace.
• Collaborate with TATO and TASOTA in future assessment readiness exercises.
• Participate in joint industry forums and workshops aimed at restoring international trust in Tanzania’s aviation safety framework.

Meanwhile, TATO will maintain pressure on both local and international regulators to work collaboratively, ensuring that Tanzanian businesses are not unfairly penalized for systemic issues that can and should be resolved through partnership.

Conclusion

The EU ban for Tanzania licensed airlines from flying EU airspace is not merely a regulatory issue—it is a wake-up call for the need to strengthen Tanzania’s aviation oversight and support its tourism infrastructure. Through proactive leadership and international dialogue, TATO has already laid the foundation for a solution-focused path forward.

TATO’s unwavering dedication to Tanzania’s tourism industry continues to drive meaningful change, even in the face of complex global challenges. This engagement with the EU reflects not just crisis management, but a broader vision of sustainable, safe, and profitable tourism for all.

For ongoing updates or to report your company’s experiences related to this issue, please contact:

📩 Email: executivedirector@tatotz.org
📞 Phone: +255 744 777 444
🌐 Website: www.tatotz.org