Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to lease seven new A320- 200s from Kuwait’s Aviation Lease and Finance Co (ALAFCO), to replace itsB737-300 fl eet.

PIA chairman Zaffar Ahmad Khan said that the new aircraft would optimise cargo and baggage handling as well as “provide maximum operational fl exibility on short and medium haulroutes with lower operating costs”.

“With the induction of these seven new aircraft, the average age of PIA fl eet will be reduced from the current 13 years to around 10 years,” he said.

PIA also plans to replace A310 and B747 equipment to reduce its average fl eet age even further. The EU’s March ban on PIA’s aircraft was recently eased enabling the carrier to operate 11 of its 20 long-haul B777 aircraft.

Khan said he was hopeful that the remaining restrictions would be lifted by October following improvements to the carrier’s safety procedures. Deliveries of the new A320s are due to start in 2009.