ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Wednesday grounded a fleet of ageing Fokker planes operated by Pakistan International Airlines after one of them crashed this week, killing all 45 people on board.
The cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz decided for safety reasons to remove the remaining seven Fokker F27 turboprops from passenger service.
It was decided that no Fokker aircraft will be used for commercial purposes from now.
This existing PIA fleet and its maintenance and related services were reviewed and suggestions were gathered in the cabinet meeting about maintenance and services.
It was decided thta the Fokker planes, used solely on domestic routes, will be temporarily replaced by military C-130 Hercules aircraft for remote airfields. Boeing jets will be used for larger airports.
Fokkers will only be used for cargo services if required.
PIA is due to take delivery of new ATR 42 aircraft to replace the Fokkers in the near future.
The cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz decided for safety reasons to remove the remaining seven Fokker F27 turboprops from passenger service.
It was decided that no Fokker aircraft will be used for commercial purposes from now.
This existing PIA fleet and its maintenance and related services were reviewed and suggestions were gathered in the cabinet meeting about maintenance and services.
It was decided thta the Fokker planes, used solely on domestic routes, will be temporarily replaced by military C-130 Hercules aircraft for remote airfields. Boeing jets will be used for larger airports.
Fokkers will only be used for cargo services if required.
PIA is due to take delivery of new ATR 42 aircraft to replace the Fokkers in the near future.