EU: Most Iran Air jets banned from Europe

[July 06, 2010]  BRUSSELS (AP) -- The EU has banned most of Iran Air's 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.

[Associated Press]

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