PIA Through IST Today

[Iberia A340-600]

I'm not sure if you all have been following the threads on Airliners regarding the ban of PIA from the European Union. From what I understand only the seven 777 fleet will be allowed in the European Union which means a ban on all 747 and A310 aircraft. It looks like PIA is willing to purchase some Airbus aircraft to replace their aging fleet of 737 aircraft as well as lease aircraft so they can continue their European operations without flaw.

As of today the PIA flight is being routed via IST which I'm assuming is to avoid MAN.

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/ge ... n/3297873/ (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3297873/)

http://www.airliners.net/discussions/ge ... in/3294858 (http://www.airliners.net/discussions/general_aviation/read.main/3294858)

[tsnamm]

I saw that also...but since they run the 777 to JFK why do they have to re-route it all, if that type is acceptable to the EU? What about all PIA's UK routes? This has to be a big problem to them. I think it has to do with PIA's maintenance as far as the "ban" goes.

[Matt Molnar]

It looks like PIA could be using the promise of buying Airbuses to replace their 737s as a bargaining chip to get the EU to let their shoddy planes fly again. Unless the EU suggested it first... :?: If the EU agrees to it, 'twould be quite the scandal.

[Iberia A340-600]

The 777-200 PK715 was routed through MAN and a 747 flight PK7152 was routed via IST.

I wish I had picked up on the 747!

[Nonstop2AUH]

Interesting that the US is not holding PIA to the same standard as the UK. Could it be that we, ahem, feel like we owe something to Gen. Musharraf & co.?

[Tom_Turner]

I thought the EU rules were tougher than the USA actually. There was all that controiversy about the 2nd hand sales of 727 being ruined in Europe a year or so back.

I also read someplace recently (probably A.net) the suggestion US won't allow direct flights Pakiston to USA (for security reasons)... but not sure if that is correct or not. Can the 777 make it non-stop?

Tom

[Mateo]

Karachi is a little bit longer than Delhi, but not as long as Mumbai; both of which are (or are about to be) 772ER destinations from EWR, although I don't know if PK has the ability to fly polar routes, which that measurement was predicated upon. If the flights are from Isbad, then it's shorter than Delhi, and about equivalent to Shanghai. As far as I know, the USA has not certified Pakistan's security procedures, which means that the pax are all re-screened at the intermediate stop.