Air Koryo - European Union Ban

European Union Ban

Air Koryo is partially on the list of air carriers banned in the European Union.

As of 30 March 2010, the EU will allow Air Koryo to operate into the European Union once again with two approved aircraft. The two aircraft will be Air Koryo's new Tupolev Tu-204s, registrations P-632 and P-633. The remaining fleet will continue to be barred from EU airspace and rights to land in the EU.

The rationale for the ban by the European Commission was the following (paraphrased):

• During ramp inspections in France and Germany, verified evidence of serious safety deficiencies on the part of Air Koryo was obtained. These deficiencies were also identified under the SAFA programme (DGAC/F 2000–2010).
• During other subsequent ramp inspections performed under the SAFA programme, Air Koryo persistently failed to address these deficiencies which were previously communicated by France (DGAC/F-2000-895).
• Incident-related information of a substantiated and serious nature communicated by France indicated that Air Koryo had latent systemic safety deficiencies.
• There was a demonstrated lack of ability on the part of Air Koryo to address these safety deficiencies.
• There was a failure on the part of Air Koryo to respond adequately and in a timely manner to an inquiry by the civil aviation authority of France regarding the safety aspect of its operation, which showed a lack of transparency or communication, which was also demonstrated by the absence of a reply to a request by France.
• The plan for corrective action presented by Air Koryo in response to France's request was not adequate and sufficient in order to correct the identified serious safety deficiencies.
• The authorities of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with responsibility for regulatory oversight have not exercised an adequate oversight over Air Koryo, which it is obliged to do under the Chicago Convention.
• Therefore, and on the basis of the common criteria, the Commission assessed that Air Koryo does not meet the relevant safety standards.