News that Nepal’s airlines have been banned from Europe has been welcomed by a woman who lost her boyfriend in a aeroplane crash in the country.

A Finsbury Park man died when a Sita Air Dornier 228 aircraft crashed shortly after take-off at Kathmandu-Tribhuvan Airport, killing the 19 passengers and crew on board.

It was the sixth fatal incident in the country across a two-year period and there have been three further crashes since.

The European Commission has confirmed that all Nepalese airlines have been added to the EU Air safety list – known as the blacklist – which names airlines banned from operating within the EU.

The man's partner, 28, met him at university and lived with him in Alexandra Grove. “I really hope that this important step ensures that the Nepalese aviation industry takes the action that is required to improve its safety standards," she said.

“Importantly, it will also enable people who have booked to visit the country to make an informed decision about the risks they could face on a plane in Nepal.

“If this had been in place 18 months ago, he and I would have been much more aware of the situation.

“I can only hope this ban will save more people from enduring the heartache and pain that will be with me for the rest of my life.”

The victim, who worked as a lawyer, was on his way to trek to Mount Everest base camp when the accident happened.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which is representing several families of passengers in the crash at a court case against tour operator Explore Worldwide, which selected Sita Air to provide the flight in Nepal, welcomed news of the ban.

Clive Garner, its head of aviation law, said: “The decision is very welcome and is a damning indictment of flight safety in Nepal.

“The official accident report released in August highlighted serious concerns, such as overloading of the aircraft, the pilot failing to use the correct speed at take-off and indications that pilots were not adequately trained to handle a single engine failure in emergency conditions.

“We remain determined to gain justice for our clients.” following the Sita Air tragedy and are preparing to commence court proceedings in the English High Court against Explore Worldwide Ltd.”