EU set to ban most PIA Planes

[Abbas Ali]

Federal Government Convenes High Level Meeting to Review UK Ban on PIA Aircraft

Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

ISLAMABAD: Federal government has convened a high-level emergency meeting today (Saturday) to review the situation in the backdrop of failure of talks between PIA and the European Union and the subsequent landing restrictions on certain PIA aircraft by the United Kingdom.

The meeting will be held in the Ministry of Defence and would be chaired by senior federal minister and Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal while Adviser to the Prime Minister Salman Shah, Defence Secretary Lt-Gen (retd) Tariq Wasim Ghazi and Director-General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Farooq Rehmatullah will also attend the meeting. The Foreign Office has also been brought on board in the process of brainstorming.

President Pervez Musharraf has taken a serious view of the development and it is expected that the Ministry of Defence would immediately submit its recommendations for the short and long-term actions.

Sources told The News here on Friday that the high-level meeting will also review the last two years’ performance of the national flag carrier. PIA and the CAA have been asked to put up detailed report dilating upon the causes of the fiasco and possible remedy.

PIA Chairman Tariq Kirmani who was in Brussels for talks with the EU would not join the meeting. He would also be asked to submit report to the ministry immediately on return.

Sources in the Ministry of Defence pointed out that the ongoing tug-of-war between the high-ups of PIA and the CAA has aggravated the situation to the state where the country’s image and the national airlines both are at the stake.

The meeting could recommend immediate removal of the top management and operational bosses of CAA and PIA and replace them with seasoned and technically sound professionals, the sources hinted.

The Ministry of Defence is still discussing the loss accrued to the PIA during the Hajj operation in 2005 when the PIA bypassing the ministry suffered the huge loss of 800 million. “You cannot rule out possibility of many heads rolled in the process responsible for the disaster not only with hierarchy of the airlines but in the relevant organizations”, the sources said.

The meeting will also discuss the proposal for pumping in more capital in the PIA and purchasing new planes for the national flag carrier. Number of other proposals will also figure in discussions for checking the deterioration of the situation, the sources added.

Source: The News

[zerbaer]

Britain bans PIA flights



By Baqir Sajjad Syed


ISLAMABAD, March 2: Britain on Friday became the second European country to restrict Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) operations to destinations in the UK.

A PIA spokesman confirming the restrictions said that they had been told by the UK authorities only to fly Boeing 777 jets to UK destinations.

The UK ban will be the biggest setback for the national flag carrier which operated 33 flights to five British destinations every week -- the largest PIA operation in any European country.

“Some of the flights to Britain have been cancelled because of the sudden move,” travel agents said, adding that they had received no alternative plan from the airline.

On Tuesday, Germany asked PIA not to fly most of its aircraft to German airports because of safety concerns.

Details of German restrictions revealed on Friday showed that the situation was much graver than what PIA was making people to believe. Germany has allowed only one Boeing 777 bearing tail number AP-BGL to operate to Germany, which implies that the remaining six have failed to meet the safety standards.

Previously, PIA announced that the recently acquired seven Boeing 777 jets would not be affected by the restrictions.

There are also reports that Italy may follow the suit.

The European Union is likely to impose restrictions from March 8 following PIA’s failure to rectify systemic safety deficiencies identified by the European Commission.

[zerbaer]

The meeting will also discuss the proposal for pumping in more capital in the PIA and purchasing new planes for the national flag carrier. Number of other proposals will also figure in discussions for checking the deterioration of the situation, the sources added.

Isn't this what its been all about!

[Bukhari]

Most of you must have been hearing about Kirmai and Co's visit to Brussels to stave off the looming EU ban. But, you would be surprised to know what stories is Mr Kirmani telling the airraft safety people, according to PIA's official spokesman:

"The Chairman explained the several measures that PIA had embarked upon, (even before the EU saga began), to make PIA more focused on safety, customer needs, reliability and vision for the future. This includes spinning off non-core businesses (such as hotels) and formation of joint ventures with internationally reputable companies for ramp handling, flight kitchen etc to name a few."

After the meeting the PIA people were over the moon calling people in the press to tell them that they had breaking news. See what they got:

"In this meeting, the EU’s ASC top representatives duly appreciated the efforts of PIA in this context and were at pains to emphasize that PIA’s operations in EU countries are not banned, [b]but only operating restrictions are being temporarily applied, which are aircraft specific (B-747s and A-310s only)[/b], to enable PIA to carry out certain further measures."

[awasi]

Does anyone know the actual reason for the ban's ?? Is it the age of the aircraft, safety concern's etc. Nobody seems to know exactly what the reasons for the ban is, and what is PIA going to do about it. I am sure people working in PIA must be reading this, and if they can shed some light on it, that will be great. Also, if these aircrafts are not worthy of flying in and out of EU, why are they being flown to other destinations. If I am flying today, I won't be buying PIA tickets anytime soon.

Atif....

[awasi]

Well if you look at the hiring practices at PIA, for the last 15 - 20 years, this is not surprising. Most of the engineers, managers that were hired in the 50's , 60 and 70's have retired, and corrupt, inept people were hired starting in mid 80's (thanx to Gen. Zia ul Haq). PIA has been mismanaged so grossly, that the only way out is to sell it. It is a pain to see PIA drop to this level in world aviation.

Before the Zia's era, people like MA geography, BSc Botoany, have been the chief engineers and director engg of pia. what are you talking about. The most brilliant people in engineering were hired in 80s and early 90s, majority have left pia due to matriculate/non-matriculate boses and their policies.

I strongly disagree with it. Just look at the graph of PIA and you will clearly see it started going down during Zia's tenure. The cabin crew hired was pathetic alongwith the ground crew. The Flight Operations and Engineering dept. fared somewhat better, but is now gradually on a downhill track too.

Let me qoute you something from facts. The day martial law was imposed in Pakistan, my uncle, who was a senior Accounting officer(Malik Zulfiqar) in PIA had a visit from a senior leader from PIA union plus my Dad just happen to be visiting him at the same time. This union leader (who was a PPP jayala), was well dressed but spoke URdu like Benazir does. The union leader was fighting was 2000 others jayala's who were fired by PIA a month for not showing for work in the first place for 3 months. Second, they had failed for than 4 times to show up for any training courses which they are required too take and pass. This union leader rude and was threatening with attack on the office with other jayalas if their demands are met to reinstate the fired jayalas.

To set the record straight, the greatest amount of damage PIA suffered was from ZULFIQAR ALI BHUTTOS PAKISTAN PEOPLES PARTY. PIA in its history for the first time, got a Union, who had no knowgledge of the airline business, the airline was used to reward jayalas by PPP who had no skills otherwise but only good to collect paychecks but never showup for work. PIA in its history increased its workforce to 17000 employees when it has measly fleet of 28 aircrafts, even airlines in NOrth America with a fleet of 128 aircrafts have that many employees. The list goes on to say the least. PIA has been on the decline since the Peoples party came to power in 1970's.

Well let me tell you another fact. When Zia came into power, the first thing he did at that time was to ban unions in PIA. The President of both PALPA and FENA were kicked out without any reason. They were reinstated back when BB came into power. Next Zia started filling up the Airline with political appointees and people who can't run an airline. If PIA was on a decline since the 1970's, the decline really accelerated during the military regime. And with the advent of Emirates and other Gulf Airlines, all the talent is now going there.

[Bukhari]

Awaisi

This ban is purely because of safety reasons and not aesthetics as being claimed by PIA to cover up their follies. If you recall Zerbaer had posted few things on this forum, which proved beyond any doubt that this whole controversy has got nothing to do with age or specific type of aircraft. It is only a matter of which aircraft complies with safety standards.

[zerbaer]

WHAT NONSENSE!


http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=45362
PIA says EU restriction is discrimination
By our correspondent

KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Saturday termed a flying restriction on all but seven of its aircraft to the European Union (EU) states a discrimination, saying it was hardly expecting such an action after all the prescribed corrective measures were taken.

In a statement issued a day after Pakistani aviation authorities met their European counterparts in Brussels, the PIA said its operations in the EU countries were not banned and only temporary restrictions had been imposed on A-310s and B-747s, to enable it to fix the concerns raised.

A great part of PIA’s fleet had been debarred from flying to the EU and England due to basic flaws in the aircraft like problems with emergency lights and chutes, people familiar with the talks said.

“This vindicates the PIA’s flight standards and allied processes, which facilitate the continued operation of all of its state-of-the-art B-777 aircraft, maintained and operated by the PIA,” the statement said.

However, even not all B-777s could escape the wrath of Europe as Germany will allow only one aircraft of the series, having registration number APBGL, to operate. But the statement maintained that the PIA was subject to the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) oversight, which itself was cleared by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) during the last Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (IUSOAP).

The EU had only a year ago in December 2005 introduced certain more stringent air safety criteria for aircraft using airspace of its member countries and had already blacklisted over 100 airlines by imposing ban on their operations.

“The EU’s said regulations in this context (air safety) are still evolving and its procedures and precedents for evaluating airlines are not widely known, with the resultant potential for miscommunications and misperceptions, which has substantially contributed to the PIA’s current situation,” it added.

It recalled that late last year issues were raised regarding certain aircraft. Subsequently, the PIA made presentations to the EU’s Air Safety Committee (ASC) in October, November 2006 and February 2007, which were well received by the EU authorities.

“Accordingly, the EU’s action to place restrictions on PIA’s certain aircraft, first reported through the media, came as a total surprise and was clearly not in keeping with the recognised progress that the PIA had made to meet the EU’s air safety criteria.” It said: “The PIA strongly disagrees with the EU’s proposed action and on the given facts does not consider it to be justifiable in its application on the PIA.

However, recognising the sovereignty of the EU to determine its regulations for compliance by airline operators in its member countries, the PIA without prejudice to its rights, agreed to seek an amicable resolution of the matter.”

The three-hour meeting concluded with the PIA assuring the ASC officials that it would work with them for restoration of full operations to the EU countries in the shortest possible time. The PIA has already undertaken measures to mitigate the effect of operational restriction and assured its customers that it would endeavour to minimise any dislocation and resultant inconvenience.

Pakistan International Airlines
Pakistan International Airlines
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June 24, 2007
Registration Comments:

IOSA Registration is limited to areas of operations covered by this IOSA Audit Report.

The following specific areas of operations are excluded from this registration.

All flight operations conducted using Fokker F-27 and DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft.

The above area of operations does not meet all IOSA standards. Specific non-conformance is indicated in the Auditor Comments area of the IOSA Checklist.


To request an IOSA Audit Report, click here.

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[zerbaer]

FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA)
The FAA’s IASA program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual air carrier, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by the United Nation's technical agency for aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These audits are limited to civil aviation authorities of countries with existing air carrier service to the U.S., or authorities of foreign air carriers wanting to start services to the U.S.

[mohammad abdulaziz]

Federal Government Convenes High Level Meeting to Review UK Ban on PIA Aircraft

Dear Abbas,
Do you have any news about the outcome of the aforementioned meeting.
Many thanks

[Abbas Ali]

PIA fails to convince EU states

ISLAMABAD, March 3: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has failed in its last minute efforts to stave off an imminent European Union ban on most of its aircraft.

A statement issued by PIA at the conclusion of meetings with the European Union in Brussels quoted the EU Aircraft Safety Commission as having said that aircraft specific restrictions on B747s and A310s are being applied temporarily to enable the airline to carry out remedial measures.

The EU has been asking PIA to rectify these systemic safety deficiencies since October and the two have agreed on an ‘action plan’ with clear milestones and deadlines.

Britain and Germany have already banned PIA aircraft from landing in their countries because of concerns about safety standards.

PIA Chairman Tariq Kirmani and Civil Aviation Authority Deputy Director-General Air Vice-Marshal Mohammad Safdar represented Pakistan in talks with the EU.

Mr Kirmani’s presentation before the Air Safety Commission touched aspects like fleet modernisation, spinning off non-core businesses (such as hotels) and formation of joint ventures with `companies of international repute’.

He termed the restrictions discriminatory and claimed that PIA had much better safety record than major European airlines. However, Mr Kirmani said PIA without prejudice to its rights agreed to adhere to the highest flight safety standards.

Source: DAWN

[Abbas Ali]

‘PIA restricted not barred from EU’

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), on Saturday, claimed that European Union’s Air Safety Committee had said that PIA had not been banned from operating in European Union countries. The airline’s spokesperson said that ‘operating restrictions’ had been imposed on its ageing Boeing 747 and Airbus A310 aircraft. Spokesman Nasir Jamal said the airline would continue to operate its seven Boeing 777s on routes to Britain and Germany.

“This vindicates PIA’s flight standards and allied processes, which facilitate the continued operations of all of its state-of-the-art Boeing 777 aircraft,” the airline claimed. “PIA had a better safety record than even certain major European airlines and considered this action of EU discriminatory against PIA,” said a statement quoting PIA CEO Tariq Kirmani.

The airline said that at an emergency meeting convened at PIA’s request at the EU Air Transport Headquarters in Brussels on March 22, PIA’s team, led by the CEO, held extensive discussions. The PIA chief in his presentation explained various additional measures that PIA had taken to make the airline more focused on safety, customer needs, reliability and its vision for the future.

Meanwhile, Britain put restrictions on PIA operations to destinations in the UK. UK authorities had reportedly told PIA that it could now fly only Boeing 777s to UK destinations.

Source: Daily Times

[mohammad abdulaziz]

Looking to the deteriorating status of most of PIA aircrafts, we should be contemplating on the solution that resolves the matter once and for all – I have a suggestion, as a long-term and perpetual solution PIA should remove the wings of its aircrafts and ply them on Karachi and Lahore roads to replace buses.

[Abbas Ali]

Dear Abbas,
Do you have any news about the outcome of the aforementioned meeting.
Many thanks

So far no news about the meeting.

[Abbas Ali]

03/03/2007 --
British and German authorities have barred around three-quarters of Pakistan International Airlines' (PIA) ageing fleet from flying to the countries because of safety worries.

But PIA insists it will continue to operate its seven Boeing 777s to both countries.

The airline has been advised by aviation authorities in the UK and Germany that its older aircraft are no longer welcome.

But PIA says it has a better safety record than some major European airlines and claims it is being discriminated against.

In a statement the company said that "operating restrictions are being temporarily applied" while it brings some long haul aircraft in its 42-plane fleet up to standard.

The EU had already decided to bar all PIA planes except the Boeing 777s, and other countries in the 27-nation group are expected to follow the action of Britain and Germany.

The EU's concerns focus on maintenance problems and old aircraft, specifically Boeing 747s and Airbus 310s.

The state-run airline was warned last year that most of its planes failed to meet international standards, although it said the EU's decision had come as a surprise.

PIA operates 26 flights a week to Europe. Its most profitable routes are to the Middle East and Britain.

Source: My Fox - Colorado