A Mozambican airline says it will continue flying to Portugal despite a European ban on air carriers from the African country.
The European Union's executive body said Tuesday that all Mozambican airlines are barred from EU airspace due to a failure to observe safety standards.
However, state-owned Mozambique Airlines says flights between Maputo and Lisbon will continue using a Boeing 767 leased from a Portuguese charter service, EuroAtlantic.
Mozambique Airlines also said it is a responsible company that has met all requirements and procedures set out by the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The European Commission said Tuesday that aviation officials in Mozambique are not enforcing standards such as providing qualified plane technicians.
The EU body also banned two Air Madagascar planes because of alleged deficiencies in their operation.
The EU currently bans a total of 269 air carriers from 21 countries in all. The majority of the countries are in Africa.
