All carriers from Mozambique, including flag-carrier LAM, are being placed on the European Union's blacklist of airlines, in addition to a pair of Boeing 767s operating for Air Madagascar.

The prohibitions feature in the latest revision of the European Commission's list of restricted operators.

In its update the Commission says the blanket ban on Mozambique and the limitations on the Air Madagascar 767 services are due to "significant safety concerns".

But four cargo carriers from Indonesia - identified as Asia Link, Air Maleo, Republic Express and Cardig Air - have been removed from the blacklist after "solid enforcement action" from authorities.

The Commission adds that Ukraine's UM Air has also been removed after "solid evidence showed its performance had improved".

Various unidentified European carriers have also undergone operational scrutiny, the Commission says.

It says it is urging authorities in several EU states to "further enhance their oversight of these air carriers".

Mozambique's inclusion brings to 21 the number of countries - covering 269 known airlines - whose operations are subject to a blanket European ban.

"We cannot afford any compromise in this area [of safety]," says European transport commissioner Siim Kallas. "Where we have evidence inside or outside the European Union that air carriers are not performing safe operations we must act to exclude any risks to safety."

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news