In December 2016 the European Commission released an updated EU Air Safety list. Commonly referred to as the EU Ban list, it consists of airline carriers that are banned from operating within European Airspace due to the lack of adequate regulatory oversight. As a result of this revision, all air operators from Kazakhstan were removed from the EU Ban List and can now operate unrestricted flights to the EU. In addition to these changes, Iranian operator; Iran Aseman Airlines, was added to the list of banned carriers due to safety concerns.

Regional Canadian operator, Hawkair, has reportedly filed for bankruptcy in mid November 2016. Throughout 2016, the airline had removed a number of aircraft from operational service, opting to utilise aircraft wet leased from its parent, fellow Canadian airline; Central Mountain Air. The airline had operated a very small and ageing fleet of turbo-prop aircraft to perform flights throughout the British Columbia and Alberta regions. Hawkair’s route network and flight operations will reportedly be absorbed by Central Mountain Air.

WOW Air is a Low-Cost Carrier operating out of its main base at Keflavík International Airport (Reykjavik, Iceland). The airline was founded in 2011 by Icelandic businessman, Skúli Mogensen, and commenced scheduled operations in the following year. The airline launched with a small fleet of Airbus aircraft, and offered discount tickets to destinations within Iceland and Europe. In late 2012, fellow Icelandic airline, Iceland Express, was absorbed by WOW Air and its operations were subsequently integrated into WOW Air's route network.

In late 2016, WOW Air operated a very young fleet of Airbus aircraft with an average overall age just over three years. Throughout its operational history the airline has gradually expanded its fleet and now operates 11 aircraft from the A320 and A330 families. The airlines fleet age is considered to be very young and indicates the presence of an extensive fleet rejuvenation program.

Despite the WOW Air’s young fleet, only a limited insight could be established into the airline’s maintenance arrangements. It is considered likely that the airline, at the very least, would have line checking capabilities in place at its main hub at Keflavík International Airport. Additionally, no financial information could be sourced as the airline is 100% privately owned and is not obligated to release exact results. The airline has only been performing scheduled flight services for four years, and therefore is still in the process of distinguishing itself apart from the world wide average of operational hours and accident rates. The airline’s low score can be attributed to, but not limited by, its low level of annual flights and its limited operational capability. As a result, WOW Air has been categorised as a mid-risk operator within the Airline Risk Calculator, with a score of 4.91.