Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft
The European Community Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) ramp inspection programme was established by the European Commission (EC) in 1996 as a voluntary programme. Subsequently Directive 2004/36/EC introduced a harmonised approach to the effective enforcement of international safety standards within the Community by harmonising the rules and procedures for the inspection of third country aircraft landing at airports located in member states.
In 2014, Directive 2004/36/EC was superseded by Commission Regulation 965/2012, Part-ARO.RAMP and the programme was extended to include the Safety Assessment of Community Aircraft (SACA) ramp inspections.
The programme requires the IAA to have a team of trained and authorised inspectors to perform the ramp inspections on aircraft for compliance with Community and International safety standards. Aircraft are selected for inspection in a non-discriminatory manner and the inspection should not cause undue delay to the departure of the aircraft. However, where doubt exists regarding the correctness of the flight preparation, the airworthiness of the aircraft, or any matter directly related to the safety of the aircraft and its occupants, such a delay may be justified.
Further information can be found at EASA (EC SAFA Programme)
EC List of Banned or Restricted Air Carriers
Regulation (EC) No. 2111/2005 came in to force in January 2006, establishing a Community list of air carriers subject to an operating ban within the Community. It also requires that passengers be informed of the identity of the air carrier operating their flight.
In March 2006 the Commission published an initial list of airlines considered to be unsafe and which are therefore not permitted to fly passengers or cargo in the EU or operate within European airspace. This list will be updated at least every 3 months.
The current list, and further related information, can be found on the European Commission website.