BRUSSELS: Turkmenistan Airlines have been banned from flying over European airspace by the EASA due to concerns over safety standards.
Thousands of passengers have been left stranded after a budget airline with routes between the UK and India was blacklisted for safety reasons.
In a statement the CAA said: “Following the decision on 4 February 2019, by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to suspend permission for Turkmenistan Airlines to operate services to the European Union, Turkmenistan Airline flights from Birmingham and Heathrow to Amritsar, and Heathrow to New Delhi – which fly via Ashgabat – are suspended with immediate effect. The UK Civil Aviation Authority is required under European law to withdraw Turkmenistan Airlines’ permit to operate to the UK pending EASA’s restoration of their approval that it meets international air safety standards.”
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said: “The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has suspended Turkmenistan Airlines flights to and from the EU pending confirmation that it meets international air safety standards. “
The termination of operations across the European Union means passengers have been stranded with no way of getting home. However, the CAA cites that Air India, British Airways, Jet Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines (in-direct flights) may be offering alternative travel arrangement.
