March 04, 2007	Sunday	Safar 14, 1428

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ISLAMABAD, March 3: Pakistan International Airlines 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 B-747s and A-310s 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.