A Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Peshawar-bound flight, made an emergency landing at Karachi International airport after developing a mid-air technical fault. As per details, flight PK-218’s hydraulic system went out of order on the way from Abu Dhabi. The aircraft’s pilot contacted the air traffic control (ATC) tower in Karachi and apprised them of the situation, after which the aircraft was safely landed.
The Aviation Division, on Friday, suspended 15 more pilots raising the number of suspended pilots to 93. The 15 are among the 262 pilots possessing suspicious licences. The licences of 28 others have already been cancelled. The suspended pilots will not be able to undertake any flying duty and their licences have been cancelled after proper legal procedures.
The Aviation Division has said that credentials of almost all Pakistani pilots working in foreign airlines have been confirmed. Since the news about dubious licences made waves internationally, airlines in 10 countries had demanded proof of valid flying licences for their Pakistani pilots. Of the 176 such pilots, 166 have been verified as authentic by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) Pakistan.
While expressing concern over recent safety issue with PIA, Omani Civil Aviation Authority warned Pakistan that the national flag carrier could be barred from using its airspace. The Omani authorities also asked Islamabad to explain what measures had been taken to ensure safety of flights. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) assured that credentials of all pilots had been scrutinised to ensure flight safety.
Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) recovery from its downward spiral since the revelation of dubious licences seems difficult, as the United States also revokes privileges. The US transport authority has revoked the permission granted to PIA to operate a number of special direct flights to the US. PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan confirmed that the airline had been notified of the withdrawal via email.
A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendant has disappeared mysteriously after a flight carrying passengers landed in Canada’s Toronto city. According to details, PIA flight attendant, identified as Yasir, went missing from his hotel, after arriving in Toronto on a PIA flight PK-781 from Islamabad. PIA administration has taken notice of the disappearance of the flight attendant. Back in September
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has terminated 52 of its employees on various charges, including fake or tampered degrees, breach of rules and unauthorised disclosure of official information to media. The organisation also awarded appreciation letters to 11 employees for showing dedication and commitment to their duty. PIA recently grounded 140 pilots after being accused of working with dubious licenses.
As matter of dubious licenses escalates, Malaysia’s aviation regulator has temporarily suspended pilots holding Pakistani licences employed by domestic airlines. The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia’s (CAAM) decision came after an evaluation of all foreign pilots in Malaysia. There are less than 20 Pakistani pilots in the country, employed with local operators, such as flying schools, flying clubs and training organisations.
Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar has announced that 262 pilots would be barred from flying because of ‘dubious’ credentials. The pilots in the line of fire include 141 from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), 10 from Serene Airline and nine from Air Blue. Others belong to flying clubs or chartered plane services. In total, there are 860 pilots in the country, 753 pilots serving locally and 107 in foreign ones.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Thursday expressed concern over the ‘serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator’ in Pakistan. The international body’s comments came after the federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan in the National Assembly declared that 150 pilots of the national flag carrier had fake licences.