Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has banned its pilots and cabin crew members from observing the fasts during the holy month of Ramadan. In a recently published safety bulletin, the national flag carrier stated that fasting is one of the major factors behind decreased performance of human beings. The safety measures have been issued by PIA’s General Manager of Flight Services, Aamir Bashir.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has asked the prime minister to reconsider a reported move to grant domestic flying rights to Air Arabia. Reportedly, PIA along with local stakeholders disputed the move as it would have serious ramifications for domestic airlines which are already struggling for survival. Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCCA), however, has championed allowing Air Arabia to set up Fly Jinnah.
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has restored its regular flight operations to Swat after a gap of 17 years. The restoration of flights to Swat was aimed at boosting tourism in the scenic valley, with two flights operating from Islamabad every week. The operation will connect with flights from Karachi and Lahore. The flights to the city were earlier closed due to financial constraints and terrorism.
Authorities in Indian-occupied Kashmir have seized a plane-shaped balloon bearing the name of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The balloon featuring the name, logo and livery colours of the national flag-carrier was found in Sotra Chak village of Hiranagar and was reported to the police after locals spotted it. Authorities have seized the balloon, while the matter is under police investigation.
In a fresh directive, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has revealed that its cabin crew’s passports will be confiscated on arrival abroad. The passports would be returned at the time of check-in on departing flights. The decision was taken in order to control recent incidents of staff “slipping away” in foreign countries. There have been two recent incidents of cabin crew going missing in Canada.
The European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) has refused to allow Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume its flight operations to and from European countries without the safety audit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and has extended the ban for three months. The national carrier had requested the EASA for provisional permission following its fulfillment of several prescribed conditions.
Saudi Arabia has suspended all international commercial flights for a renewable week except for the foreign flights already in the kingdom. The entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will be also suspended for a renewable week. These measures come after the spread of a new strain of Covid-19 among a number of countries.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is planning to lay off 3,000 employees through a voluntary retirement scheme this year to reduce its annual losses by Rs4.5 billion ($28.26 million). The Pakistani government approved the national flag carrier’s voluntary separation scheme (VSS) to remove the employees from service. PIA management is now seeking about Rs12.7 billion from the government to compensate them.
The Roosevelt Hotel in New York City owned by PIA is going to be shut down because of financial issues. Built on prime land in Manhattan in 1924, the hotel was leased by PIA in 1979 along with a Saudi prince. PIA bought the hotel in 1999 for $36.5 million and in 2005 bought the Saudi prince’s share.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has advised Pakistan to suspend the issuance of any new pilot licences in the wake of a scandal over falsified licenses. The recommendations from ICAO, a specialised agency of the United Nations that works to ensure safety in international air transport, has asked Pakistan to undertake “immediate corrective actions”.