Every year, around 100,000 French and two million European tourists visit Tanzania, the country of safaris, especially in the famous Serengeti or Kilimandjaro National Park. A trip of a life, but this year, it will be at its own risk if you plan to go to this state of Eastern Africa.
In fact, since June 3, the 35 airlines in the country, all have registered in the blacklist of the European Commission. In question, the many gaps in air traffic control, lack of personnel and ineffective surveillance processes with respect to navigability and flight operations, indicates the Brussels report, cited by the tourist echo.
“The security of the passengers remains our absolute priority. After a detailed technical evaluation, the European Commission has added all the air carriers certified in Tanzania to the list of EU security carriers due to serious gaps in national aviation surveillance,” said Tzitzikostas Apostolos, European commissioner.
None of these companies operate from Europe. But they are essential to travel inside Tanzania and reach tourist sites. For European and French travelers, this is not trivial because all the packages of the old continent include at least one internal flight.
Useful reflection
Translation: If a citizen from the countries of the Union borrows one of these companies in Tanzania, it is not covered by any insurance in case of an incident, or even an accident. Because this European blacklist can enter the field of an “exclusion clause.”
“If the responsibility of the professional is dedicated, the insurer can refuse to intervene, thus exposing the operator to a significant financial risk,” he explained to our Turmag colleagues.
For the sector, the situation is delicate. Representative organizations such as Seto (Union of companies that work with the tour) and EDV (travel companies) must inform about everything and alert customers who wish to go to Tanzania.
When asked, the EDVS did not return our requests for details, while the hedge does not want to comment on this situation, but emphasizes “working actively with the European Commission to develop the archive.”
However, the organization communicated to tourism professionals. “Travel agencies that have sold packages, including indoor flights, must inform their customers because airlines are a blacklist,” said its general manager, Hervé Tilmont, cited by the tourist echo.
Foreign companies to compensate?
For those who have already reserved a package, customers must have the cards in hand to decide or not keep their trip because nothing forces them to reject.
If they surrender, the service provider will have to offer you a retirement solution (with price adjustment if necessary) or a complete reimbursement at no cost. If they keep it, they must be aware of the risks.
For Tanzania tourism, this blacklist is a disaster. To avoid a hemorrhage of tourists, Tanzania authorities could authorize foreign airlines to operate national flights, according to Turmag. It is said that Qatar airlines or Ethiopian airlines are mentioned, but to date, nothing has been decided.
Source: BFM TV
