Flying abroad in 2026? The EU has just banned nearly 170 Airlines from its skies

Travellers planning trips outside Europe this year may want to double-check who they’re flying with. The European Union has updated its air safety blacklist, and the latest version is one of the longest in recent years. As of January 2026, 169 airlines are banned from operating in European airspace, while two others are only allowed to fly under strict conditions.

The update comes as many Europeans are travelling or finalising plans for upcoming holidays, a time when long-haul trips abroad are particularly popular.

Why the EU bans airlines from flying in Europe

The EU’s air safety list isn’t about politics or sanctions. It’s about safety oversight. When aviation authorities in certain countries fail to properly monitor their airlines, the EU steps in and blocks those carriers from flying to, from or over Europe.

In the latest update, 17 countries have seen all of their airlines banned at once, representing 142 carriers in total. The issue isn’t individual aircraft, but the lack of reliable safety supervision at a national level.

Countries affected include Afghanistan, Armenia, Congo-Brazzaville, Djibouti, Eritrea, Liberia, Libya, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Suriname, Tanzania and several others. In most cases, passengers wouldn’t be flying these airlines into Europe anyway, but the ban serves as a clear warning for anyone considering using them abroad.

Russian airlines and individual carriers also targeted

The updated list also includes 22 airlines certified in Russia, all of which remain barred from EU airspace due to ongoing safety concerns.

Alongside them are five individual airlines from other countries, singled out because of specific safety issues. These are Air Zimbabwe from Zimbabwe, Avior Airlines from Venezuela, Iran Aseman Airlines from Iran, Fly Baghdad and Iraqi Airways from Iraq.

For travellers, this means these airlines cannot legally operate flights into the EU, and using them elsewhere may come with added risks.

Two airlines face restrictions, not a full ban

Not every carrier on the list is completely grounded. Iran Air and Air Koryo, North Korea’s national airline, are subject to operational restrictions rather than a total ban. They can only fly to Europe using specific aircraft types that meet EU safety requirements.

This limited access is designed to encourage compliance while still keeping passenger safety as the top priority.

What travellers should keep in mind

For anyone booking flights outside Europe, especially during peak holiday periods, the message is simple: check the airline before you book. Flying with a carrier on the EU blacklist won’t affect trips within Europe – because they’re not allowed there in the first place – but it can matter if you’re travelling between non-EU countries.

The EU’s blacklist is updated regularly, and while it doesn’t replace common sense, it remains one of the clearest indicators of which airlines Europe considers unsafe.

If you’re unsure about an airline, taking a few seconds to check the list could save you far more than time later.

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