News: Turkmenistan Airlines banned from Europe
Turkmenistan Airlines has been banned from flying to Europe by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). An EASA statement said that the firm's license to fly in the EU has been suspended "pending confirmation that it meets international air safety standards." Estimates suggest several thousand travellers are stranded abroad while others face uncertainty over their forthcoming travel plans.
A spokesperson for the UK Civil Aviation Authority said: "Turkmenistan Airline flights from Birmingham and Heathrow to Amritsar, and Heathrow to New Delhi – which fly via Ashgabat – are suspended with immediate effect."
Turkmenistan Airlines flew to Birmingham and London Heathrow in the UK (Rob Hodgkins)
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) added: "This means that Turkmenistan Airlines flights between the UK and Turkmenistan do not have permission to travel to and from the UK."
The airline operated to Birmingham UK five times a week and London Heathrow once weekly. It also offers services to Frankfurt and Paris. As well as being Turkmenistan's national airline, it offers cheap fares between Europe and India (Amritsar in particular) via its hub in Ashgabat. Its fleet includes eight Boeing 737-800s, four Boeing 737-700s, three Boeing 757-200s and a three Boeing 777-200/LRs.
Text © The Aviation Oracle