Karachi, March 5 :

Faced with a ban from being allowed to fly to European destinations beginning Wednesday, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is likely to purchase the latest aircraft from European consortium Airbus in order to “appease” the European Union (EU) and Britain.

In doing so, Pakistan is having to “strike a delicate balance” in its relations with the US and the EU.

The Pakistani flag carrier is understood to have “effectively conveyed” to both the EU and the British air-safety authorities that it was willing to replace its Boeing 737s with the latest European aircraft for EU and British destinations, The Daily Times said, quoting “well-placed airline and government sources”.

The process of buying Airbus to replace the seven ageing American Boeing 737s could begin next July. PIA’s flying to European destinations has been restricted due to new EU air safety rules.