Expert: Armenian airlines remain on EU aviation blacklist

On June 3, the European Commission released its updated aviation blacklist, once again confirming that Armenian airlines are banned from operating in EU airspace. Armenia continues to be listed among countries with insufficient aviation oversight, alongside Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, and several African states.

Expert Vaghe Davtyan commented on the development, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“Despite Yerevan’s declarations about aligning with European standards, this situation reflects an institutional gap between the official rhetoric of Eurointegration and the actual performance of state governance,” he stated.

Davtyan noted that the EU’s assessment is clear, citing “insufficient oversight of flight safety” as the reason for the continued ban.

He added that bringing Armenian aviation in line with European standards remains a critical indicator of the country’s readiness to harmonise with EU norms. The ongoing lack of progress in this sector, he argued, undermines confidence in the Armenian leadership’s commitment to reforming key areas of governance and safety.

“In a context where official Yerevan presents its European course as a civilizational choice, such signals from Brussels should be viewed not as technical remarks but as systemic warnings,” Davtyan concluded. “Without institutional reforms and improved transparency in national oversight of critical infrastructure, the path to full European integration will remain blocked.”

By Tamilla Hasanova