EU to relax ban on Pakistan International Airlines

Islamabad, June 29: The European Union (EU) has announced a plan to relax the restrictions imposed on the fleet of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from flying to the 27-nation (EU) bloc.

A statement issued by an EU delegation here said: ''The European Commission has received the unanimous opinion of its Air Safety Committee on the fourth update of the Community list of airlines banned in the European Union. On this basis, the restrictions imposed on Pakistan International Airlines will be modified.'' As per the planned relaxation of the operational restrictions on the PIA, the EU said it would modify its blacklist to allow specific 'Boeing 747 and Airbus 310 aircraft' in addition to 'Boeing 777' fleet already authorised to operate into the area, local media reports said.

Although, there was no immediate word about which of B-747 and A-310 aircraft would be cleared, five 747s and six 310s will get EU's approval. The airline has eight 747s and twelve A-310s in its fleet.

On March 5, the EU had banned almost the entire PIA fleet except its seven new Boeing 777s from flying to its member countries, after which the airline had to cut its operations to Europe.

The EU's concerns had focused on maintenance problems and old aircraft, specifically pertaining to Boeing 747s and Airbus 310s.

UNI