The European Union (EU) has imposed a ban on all Afghan airlines from flying into European airspace due to Afghanistan’s failure to set up a proper safety regime.

The ban follows Afghanistan’s failure to comply in time with a EU order to update 1972 aviation regulations and set up a civil aviation authority.

The new EU blacklist includes Safi Airways, while national carrier Ariana Afghan Airlines was already banned and there were some restrictions on Kam Air.

The ban, which came into effect on 24 November, will affect routes from Kabul to Vienna, London and Frankfurt.

The banned Afghan airlines are considering leasing improved aircraft or buying overseas operators to run their fleet in European airspace.