The European Union looks set to place a ban on 33 of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) fleet this week, including the airline's Boeing 747s and Airbus A310-300s, leaving it only 777s to operate into Europe.
The EU's aviation safety officials are finalising additions to the black list of aircraft banned from EU airports and it is understood that the entire PIA fleet, with the exception of its seven 777s will not be allowed to operate into Europe. The airline currently uses its 777s for routes to North America and so disruptions on both European and North American services are expected.
The reason for the ban is said to be a failure to guarantee EU aviation safety standards. The Pakistani high commission in London informed PIA's headquarters in Karachi on Friday of the imminent ban which is to take place from 8 March.
“We have been told that except for the PIA fleet's seven Boeing 777s, all other aircraft will not be allowed to operate in the EU bloc after 8 March,” PIA sources told the Pakistani daily newspaper Daily Times while describing the EU’s reported move as “shocking and confusing.”
This comes as another blow to PIA as their entire 747 fleet was banned from the EU late last year. They managed to bring two of their eight 747s to meet the required safety criteria, and were operating into Europe.
On Saturday a senior PIA official described the EU decision as "a surprise", but said steps would be taken to keep services to Europe running. PIA is expected to wet lease replacement aircraft shortly.
PIA is due for delivery a 777-200ER aircraft on lease from ILFC shortly. PIA's 777 fleet currently consists of two 777-300ERs, three 777-200ERs and two 777-200LRs which are used on non-stop flights to Toronto from Pakistan.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
