Iranian airline Manchester flights suspended

LONDON, July 21 (Reuters) Britain has suspended Iranian airline Mahan Air's operating permit on safety grounds, a Department of Transport spokesman said today.

In June, Mahan Air increased the regularity of its flights from Tehran to Manchester to five times a week.

''We suspended the operating permit of Mahan Air las night as it's not able to operate safely,'' said a Department of Transport spokesman.

''It has been involved in a number of recent incidents which suggests a poor level of operational control, planning and safety management,'' he said.

''We'll with work with EU and other partners to help Air Mahan to rectify any deficiencies, but we won't allow them to recommence operations until they have convinced us they can do it safely.'' Reuters RN RN2107