B747s & A310s - Restrictions 'temporarily applied' - PIA

[Abbas Ali]

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) --Pakistan International Airlines will be limited to flying its Boeing 777 planes into the European Union due to safety concerns about the carrier's other, older planes, the European Commission said Monday.

The latest update of the EU's airline blacklist bars PIA from using its aging Boeing 747, Airbus A310 and other aircraft on the lucrative European routes.

In Islamabad, PIA spokesman Nasir Jamal said the restrictions on the Boeing 747s and Airbus A310s were only being "temporarily applied" and they would be able to fly again once they have been upgraded

"These two types of aircraft may resume their flights once necessary refurbishment and cabin up-keeping is completed in a given time frame that is as soon as possible," Jamal said.

He said EU transport experts advised the airline to use its newer planes on routes to Britain and Frankfurt.

PIA was considered one of the best airlines in the developing world in the 1960s and 1970s. Critics blame the slide in quality and maintenance standards on government interference in the airline's operations.

Source: Yahoo! Finance

[DC10]

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) --Pakistan International Airlines will be limited to flying its Boeing 777 planes into the European Union due to safety concerns about the carrier's other, older planes, the European Commission said Monday.

The latest update of the EU's airline blacklist bars PIA from using its aging Boeing 747, Airbus 310 and other aircraft on the lucrative European routes.
[/b]
He said EU transport experts advised the airline to use its newer planes on routes to Britain and Frankfurt.

PIA delegation was not entertained by the EC. They did not present any maintenance programme viz a viz the A310 and B747. The alleged pinching of the laptops of 3 members of the delegation bears testimony to the fact that PIA wilfully ignored the EC advisories. The EU never recommends the type or age of the equipment. It is a cons(piracy) the thorns of which will have to be borne by those who were born and are still residing in this unfortunate country.

[samee380]

PIA was considered one of the best airlines in the developing world in the 1960s and 1970s. Critics blame the slide in quality and maintenance standards on government interference in the airline's operations.

this totalally sums up PIA problems. PRIVATISE PIA!!

[AP-BGL]

"These two types of aircraft may resume their flights once necessary refurbishment and cabin up-keeping is completed in a given time frame that is as soon as possible," Jamal said.

Same question I have which has been in discussion for so many times, If its only and only cabin refurbishment and cleanliness problem then why the two already refurbished aircrafts (AP-BGG & AP-BAT) not being permitted for flights and are in the list of debarred aircrafts?

I think there is something that is being put under the carpet apart from the hygiene and other cabin issues, looks like these restrictions are not going to lifted off in near future...

[Max]

Pakistan airline says EU ban 'discrimination' KARACHI, March 6 (AFP) The chairman of Pakistan's national airline on Tuesday accused the European Union of discrimination after it imposed a safety ban on most of its ageing fleet. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) chief Tariq Kirmani said that the state-owned carrier was leasing two planes to fill the gap and hoped to get its service back to normal by the end of the month. “The EU decision is unjust and discriminatory. PIA had a better record than certain major European airlines presently flying in the skies of the EU,”Kirmani told a news conference in Karachi. The airline earlier said it had been forced to cancel 14 flights to Europe over the next three weeks, including services to London, Manchester and Rome, but that passengers would be accommodated on other planes. The chairman said the ban had “hurt our business and created inconvenience for our customers” but that PIA had no choice but to accept it. Kirmani said the airline would go for a “realignment” of its flight schedule to US and European destinations and that steps were being taken to bring everything back to normal by March 28. (First Posted @ 16:05 PST Updated @ 21:52 PST)

http://dawn.com/2007/03/06/welcome.htm#39

[samee380]

Looks like PIA will get back to normal on 28th March ! we shall wait and see

[BOEING777]

If the ban is temporary, why did PK sit back and allow itself to be banned?

WHy not do something about it?

[Max]

Pakistan's National Airline Slashes Flights to Europe After EU Blacklists Old Planes

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's national airline announced Tuesday that it had slashed its flights to Europe by nearly 50 percent after the European Union barred most of its planes due to safety concerns.

The EU's executive commission said Monday it would allow Pakistan International Airlines to use only its seven Boeing 777 planes on services to EU airports due to worries about the age and maintenance of its other long-haul aircraft.

PIA said the airline had cut the number of weekly flights to Europe and the United States from 42 to 24, effective immediately, as a result of the ban.

Services to Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan and Chicago have been stopped altogether. Flights to destinations including Manchester, New York, Istanbul and Paris will continue, but with reduced frequency.

PIA chairman Tariq Kirmani criticized the EU decision as "unjust and discriminatory," insisting that the airline's entire fleet was safe.

"PIA's planes are safe and airworthy," he told reporters at PIA's headquarters in the southern city of Karachi. He said PIA had a better safety record than some other airlines still allowed to fly in Europe. He didn't name those rivals.

However, he said PIA would upgrade its fleet to address the EU's concerns and that it had already contacted Turkey's national airline about leasing two extra planes to serve the affected European routes. It hopes to restore some of the cut flights by March 15.
PIA had been using aging Boeing 747, Airbus 310 and other aircraft on the lucrative European routes. The B-747s and A-310s and other smaller aircraft account for the bulk of the airline's inventory of over 40 long-range and regional aircraft.

PIA was considered one of the best airlines in the developing world in the 1960s and 1970s. Critics blame the slide in quality and maintenance standards on government interference in the airline's operations.



http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070306/pakistan ... .html?.v=1

[Abbas Ali]

European Commission to review PIA again in May and probably in June the restriction will be lifted - says Kirmani

KARACHI: Chairman Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Tariq Kirmani on Tuesday regretted that European diplomats have propagated an “unjust” flying restriction on PIA aircraft due to safety concerns.

Speaking at a press conference here at the PIA head office, Kirmani emphasised that the restriction on PIA’s B747 and A310 aircraft from flying to the 27-nation EU bloc was the result of ramp inspections, dealing with interior and exterior upkeep of a plane.

“Our track record is better than some of the European airlines,” he asserted, saying PIA is accredited with all the relevant certifications of the European Aviation Safety Agency, the International Air Transport Association and the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

The operational restriction on 35 of PIA aircraft, excluding the seven B-777s, comes after the European Commission (EC) last September expressed reservations about the state of aeroplanes. Since then the national flag carrier has renovated some of its aircraft under a more vigilant Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan.

However, neither PIA nor CAA was communicated about the latest restriction, which came after a biannual meeting of the EC last month. Regretting the decision, Kirmani revealed how the aircraft of other airlines maintained by PIA are not debarred while its very own are.

“We also considered a legal course of action,” he said, underlining the strong conviction of the airline that it is subjected to highhandedness. “But it was not recommended by our lawyers. The EU is a large bureaucracy, and a case would have dragged on for years.”

About the immediate impact of flight disruptions, he said probably an A310 aircraft would be brought in on a wet-lease in addition to one already being used. He played down any significant financial implications of the restriction on PIA by stressing that the first fortnight of March was a lean period. From March 15, the airline would start taking mitigatory steps and by 28 of the current month everything will be back on track, he assured.

Interestingly, the PIA chairman was able to pull something good for PIA from the restriction scenario. “Actually, this (restriction) has helped us. It has allowed PIA to review its network in European countries.”

For the next three months till June when the EC is expected to review its decision, PIA will focus on flying to only lucrative hubs and make arrangements for passengers for onward traveling.

But perhaps the reduction in European stations would be on permanent basis as Kirmani said the airline was to do it anyway. “I see it (the restriction) as an opportunity for improvement.” Deputy Director-General of CAA Air Vise Marshal Safdar Khan told The News that PIA was in the middle of taking remedial measures when the flying restriction on most of its aircraft was imposed.

“The commission simply took up (compliance record) of the previous six months and decided on it,” he said, adding that the reports CAA received from the EC for the last three months show hardly any complaints about PIA aircraft.

He said the observations which precipitated the EU action were made during ramp inspections. “This means, the inspections are done when an aircraft is ready for takeoff. Engines are not opened up to find flaws.”

With help of a graph showing observations of European authorities on PIA during the last two years, he showed that around 80 per cent of the concerns were related to upkeep of the aircraft.

About the EU objections raised during the Brussels meeting, he said certain internal controls were missing in PIA and CAA had given an action plan to fix the problem. “In May the EC will review the airline again and probably in June the restriction will be lifted.”

Asked as to why such a harsh punishment is being meted out to PIA for small defaults like untidy interior and dislocation of cargo due to weak strapping, he said maintenance of an aircraft reflects the culture of an airline. “When these small things can’t be maintained, how one is supposed to trust the safety of that airline’s aircraft,” he added.

Source: The News

[Xeon]

It appears that these two gentlemen have no clue about the situation.

Kirmani says that around 80 per cent of the concerns were related to upkeep of the aircraft. So it means 20% were really related to flight safety. In air travel we need a system which is at least 100% safe.

He also said “Actually, this (restriction) has helped us"

Why not to shut down the whole airline and that will help us more !!

This guy doesnt' sound like an MBA ?? even guys having BA degree make more sense !! !!

[zerbaer]

He was in Caltex (it has the smallest share in Pak market) and was superseded by a person who was at number 3 below Kirmani. He was made/declared redundant. He then spent 6 months at PARCO (I think) before latching on to PSO.

[flyingsystem]

If the ban is temporary, why did PK sit back and allow itself to be banned?

WHy not do something about it?

Thats indeed the question.

Btw, here is the European Blacklist updated:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air-ban/list_en.htm
Check last page of the PDF file

[samee380]

i was watching Tariq Kirmani being questioned on Geo Aaj Kamran Kay Saath and i tell you this he has no idea what is going on. He said that the EU havent told PIA what is the problem and that its Discrimination and Unjust.
he also said that all PIA aircrafts are Airworthy and Safe

and the usual B777's and that so on..

[Xeon]

He was in Caltex (it has the smallest share in Pak market) and was superseded by a person who was at number 3 below Kirmani. He was made/declared redundant. He then spent 6 months at PARCO (I think) before latching on to PSO.

Kirmani has an MBA from IBA.
He is the buddy of Shaukat Aziz who also did his MBA from IBA karachi.
It sounds like one is screwing the country and other is screwing its flag carrier.

[virk]

I heard this jakass on Geo as well, I wonder how can you fix a problem if you don’t admit that there is a problem I see ban form US as well in near future