Safety Concerns Cited; Airbus Could Score Orders

The European Union has banned most of Pakistan International Airlines' fleet from entering its airspace, the 27-nation bloc announced Monday.

With only seven Boeing 777s exempted, the ban will affect 35 aircraft in the airline's fleet... and PIA is scrambling to find replacement aircraft. Flights to London, Rome, Paris and Amsterdam are among those affected; those are some of the airline's most lucrative routes.

The EU based its decision on safety concerns with PIA's aging fleet conditions, specifically the airline's Boeing 737s, 747s and Airbus A310s. The EU warned PIA its planes would be banned, unless the airline addressed its aging fleet.

Not surprisingly, PIA said last week it does not consider the ban justifiable, and strongly opposes it. "I would say we will have to cut at least 15% to 20% of our European operations," a PIA official told Reuters.

Substantial public outcry following a series of crashes prompted the ban. As Aero-News reported in July 2006, a twin-engine Fokker F-27 crashed shortly after takeoff near Lahore, killing 45 people.

Here's where it gets a tad interesting. According to Pakistan's The Daily Times, PIA told EU officials it is willing to replace its Boeing 737s with the latest European aircraft for destinations within the EU. For example, PIA offered to replace its older Boeing 737s with Airbus narrowbodies -- a process that could begin as early as July.

In related news, the EU recently lifted restrictions on two carriers previously named to the EU's "blacklist." The BBC reports Thailand's Phuket Air, and African carrier DA Air Cargo, are OK to fly once again, after both companies made necessary safety improvements.

"For the first time, two carriers have been withdrawn from the blacklist after taking decisive action to remedy their failings," Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot said. "This shows that our list acts not only as essential protection against unsafe operations but also as a strong and effective incentive for companies who deviate from international safety norms to address their shortcomings."

The EU extended a ban on Sudan's Air West to cover its entire fleet. 49 carriers that were previously on the list had been withdrawn because they were no longer in operation.

FMI: www.airbus.com, www.piac.com.pk/index.aspx