Most Iran Air jets banned from Europe

[raihans]

Most Iran Air jets banned from Europe

BRUSSELS (AP) -- The EU has banned most of Iran Air's jet jets from flying to Europe due to safety concerns.

Spokeswoman Helen Kearns says the airline's Boeing 727s and 747s, along with its Airbus 320s, have been placed on the EU blacklist effective Tuesday following a safety audit.

Kearns denied that the move, which affects two-thirds of Iran Air's fleet, had anything to do with international sanctions against the Islamic republic over its nuclear program.

Kearns also said two more Indonesian carriers, Metro Batavia and Indonesia Air Asia, have been removed from the latest list of banned airlines.

The blacklist, which is updated regularly, includes 278 companies -- mostly from African and Asian nations.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/NewsDeta ... fault.aspx

[Moin]

Why would they ban the A320?? That's probably the newest a/c in their fleet. They're sending A300-600's to LHR these days.

[raihans]

EC updates blacklist
The European Commission has updated its list of airlines that are banned from using its airspace.
Surinam airline Blue Wing has become the latest carrier to be prohibited as a result of a series of accidents suffered by this airline, “and serious deficiencies revealed during ramp inspections of its aircraft”. The airline had been on the original blacklist but was removed in 2007.
Following a Commission-led visit of Iran to confirm the implementation by Iran Air of measures announced by the country’s civil aviation organisation, as well as the airline, the EC’s Air Safety Committee “unanimously supported the expansion of the operating restrictions imposed on Iran Air to exclude from operations into the EU its fleet of Airbus A-320 and of Boeing B-727 and B-747”. The Commission said that it will continue to monitor the performance of the airline through the results of ramp checks of those aircraft which the carrier can operate within European airspace.
The EC noted the improvements made by Indonesia and Gabon.
Two Indonesian airlines, Metro Batavia and Indonesia Air Asia, have been recommended to be removed from the blacklist. Gabonese carrier Afrijet, which is currently allowed to operate under restrictions into Europe, has been permitted to add another aircraft to the fleet it uses for such services.
In total there are 17 countries whose airlines are banned completely from European airspace, another four airlines are also banned, while nine airlines are allowed to operate under restrictions.

Source: IFALPA Daily News Service - Wednesday 7 July 2010