EU puts Iran's Aseman Airlines on its air safety blacklist
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The European Union has added Iran's Aseman Airlines to its blacklist of companies banned from European skies due to safety concerns.
The Tehran-based Aseman flies domestic and international routes, but none directly to EU member countries.
Thursday's move is a blow to Iran as it looks to rebuild its aviation industry following the lifting of sanctions imposed over its nuclear ambitions.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The EU's Executive Commission also said it had removed all airlines certified in Kazakhstan from the blacklist, given recent improvements in aviation security in the country.
The move means that a total of 193 airlines are still banned in Europe.
Not all banned airlines fly to Europe, but blacklisting has been a strong incentive for companies to improve their standards and for countries to boost aviation safety.