Pakistan Caa Warns Airlines Over Covid Sops
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has dispatched warning letters to PIA – Pakistan International Airlines, AirBlue, Syrianair, AirSial, Vision Air International , and Air Falcon for not adhering to COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures for inbound flights to the United Arab Emirates , cautioning it could withdraw the carriers’ permission to operate the route.
Pakistans The Nation and Dawn newspapers reported the October 22 warning letters stated the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority had shared two safety assessments of foreign aircraft reports that contained violations of its Safety Decision 2020-20. Concerns pertained to non-compliance regarding the isolation of infected passengers onboard and crew not using full PPE .
“Such violations are ignominious not only for the operator but also for the state and the regulator,” the PCAA stated, warning that airlines failing to comply would face “sterner action which could include the withdrawal of permission to operate flights to and from UAE airports”.
According to the GCAA’s Safety Decision, an isolation area comprising of three…
Adherence To The Relevant Applicable Standard Operating Procedures Would Be Mandatory For All Airline Operators
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The Pakistan government has allowed resumption of international flight operations to and from all international airports in the country, except Gwadar and Turbat airports, from Saturday.
Spokesman for the Aviation Division Abdul Sattar Khokhar said in a statement on Friday that the permission for international flight operations would be subject to restrictions and limitations as decided by the competent authority from time to time in the light of the current COVID-19 situation and implementation of health protocols, reports Dawn news.
Additionally, cargo, special and diplomatic flights would continue to be authorised as per procedure in vogue, the spokesman said.
Adherence to the relevant applicable standard operating procedures would be mandatory for all airline operators, he said.
The government on Wednesday had announced a new policy for inbound passengers with a resolve to transport approximately 200,000 people within a month.
The implementation of the new policy will start from Saturday which the government said would bring significant enhancement in the capacity to bring back stranded Pakistanis from across the world.
Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority on Friday night issued a NOTAM after the government authorised international passenger and charter flights to and from all international airports of the country, except Gwadar and Turbat, said the Dawn news rpeort.
Direct Pia Flights To Baghdad Soon: Spokesperson
National carrier had flown an inaugural flight carrying 91 passengers to Najaf on Oct 30
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines resumed direct flights to Najaf city of Iraq while special flights for the capital of Baghdad will begin soon.
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Niazi on Tuesday said the latest operations would further strengthen ties between the brotherly nations and efforts were underway to resume flights to Baghdad.
Our special flight operations to Najaf were highly successful, Niazi said while speaking to Pakistan Television.
The inaugural flight, PK-219, carrying 91 passengers, landed in Najaf on October 30.
PIA was taking practical steps to provide the best facilities to passengers besides providing onboard wi-fi internet service, he said.
Replying to a question, the spokesman said the airline had also upgraded its kitchen services focusing on fresh food with varied tastes and improved presentation.
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Pia Resumes Flights From Uk First Plane To Fly From Manchester On Sep 22
After the exclusion of Pakistan from the red list, Pakistan International Airline announced to resume flights from the United Kingdom.
According to the 24News HD TV channel, the first special chartered flight from Manchester would leave for Islamabad on September 22.
The PIA signed a new deal with the Jordanian airline, the Royal Jordanian after the termination of its contract with a Portuguese company Hi-Fly.
So now the Jordan Aviation will operate special chartered flights from the UK to Pakistan.
The European Union Safety Agency had not revived the PIA after passing more than one year.
Reporter: Wasim Chaudhry
Pakistan Withholds Int’l Charter Rights Of Four Airlines
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has announced it is withholding with immediate effect permission for PIA – Pakistan International Airlines, Serene Air, AirBlue, and AirSial to operate international charter flights.
This comes after the airlines collectively cancelled 33.4% or 383 out of a total of 1,145 domestic scheduled flights since October 1, 2021, on the pretext of operational reasons and thereafter utilising aircraft for the conduct of international chartered operations in-lieu of scheduled domestic flights, the PCAA said in a statement. The issue had been flagged to the regulator through various public complaints/ feedback forums, it said.
The break-down of cancelled domestic services was as follows:
- PIA cancelled 130 of 417 domestic flights, representing 31.1%
- Serene Air cancelled 117 of 250 domestic flights or 46.8%
- AirBlue cancelled 86 out of 261 domestic flights, equalling 32.9%
- Airsial cancelled 50 of 217 domestic flights or 23%.
The PCAA said chartered flight operations would be restored on a case to case basis, subject to submission of the following undertaking:
Prior…
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Pia Runs Chartered Commercial Flight To Afghanistan
- By RFE/RL
Pakistan International Airlines has run its first commercial flight to and from Kabul since the Taliban took over Afghanistan in mid-August.
The Boeing 777 departed the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, as a commercial flight chartered by the World Bank, carrying officials from the bank and journalists, airline spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan said on September 13.
The aircraft carried around 10 people, according to an AFP journalist aboard.
First commercial flight lands after Qatar runs chartered flights to Kabul, a journalist with Qatar-based Al Jazeera , posting photos of the PIA plane on the Kabul airports tarmac.
The Boeing later took off from Kabul airport, bound for Islamabad, with around 70 people on board, mostly Afghans who were relatives of staffers with international organizations, airport ground staff were quoted as saying.
A chartered flight by a Qatar Airways jet that carried 200 people from Kabul on September 9 was the first passenger plane to fly out of Kabul airport since the Taliban took over the facility following the departure of the last U.S. troops there on August 30.
The airport was severely damaged during the chaotic evacuation of more than 120,000 people that ended with the U.S. military withdrawal following a 20-year presence.
The resumption of commercial flights will be a key test for the hard-line Islamist group, which has vowed to allow Afghans with proper documents to leave the war-torn country freely.
Pia Plans Of Reviving Direct New York Flights
In 2019, PIA disclosed its avid plans to resume direct flights from Islamabad International Airport and New York. Superficially, it seems like the national carrier aims to add prestige to its country by flying on one of the most desirable routes. But in fact, this plan is a tool to get PIA out of the consistent loss by making money through flying this lucrative route. In the past, the US Transportation Security Administration banned PIA flights due to the lack of sufficient security and safety management systems. Thats the reason PIA used to have a stopover at Manchester for passengers rescreening before entering the US. The involvement of the third point made this route quite unviable to operate.
During the pandemic, PIA did operate a one-off direct flight from Islamabad to Newark. A Boeing 777-200LR operated this direct flight. This was the first time that a PIA airliner landed on US soil originating directly from Pakistan.
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Pia Resumes Flight Operations To Kuwait
Two flights to run in a week
Listen to the story
The Pakistan International Airline has resumed its flight operations to Kuwait, PIA CEO Arshad Malik announced Monday.
The national carrier will operate two flights to the Gulf state in a week.
Alhamdollilah #PIA resumes its FLT Ops to #Kuwait with tremendous support from , Min of Avn Sarwar Khan & & foreign office in getting rights restored. PIA vows to serve the nation with dedication, Starting 02 Flts a week.
Establishment Of Islamabad International Airport Electrified This Plan
Now, PIA is confident in its safe and secure execution of flights after the establishment of New Islamabad International Airport. Therefore, it hopes to revive successful non-stop flights to New York as Islamabad International Airport is extensively equipped with security gadgets and safety procedures. Such universally standardized security checks and safety procedures require no more demand PIA to stop over at Manchester for further security grants. Hence PIA is planning zealously to operate this route as removing the third point will make this route economically viable.
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Pia Says No Plans To Restart Commercial Flights To Kabul
Pakistan International Airlines on Saturday denied that it would resume commercial flights from Islamabad to Kabul next week.
Earlier today, AFP had quoted PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan as saying that the airline had received all technical clearances for flight operations.
The report had quoted him as saying that the first commercial plane was scheduled to fly from Islamabad to Kabul on September 13.
However, the PIA spokesperson later issued a clarification and denied that the airline was resuming commercial flights.
Speaking to Voice of America, he said that there was still some time to go before resuming flight operations, adding that it depends on a multitude of factors on the ground that “are still to be managed”.
According to the publication, the PIA spokesperson said that media reports suggesting flights would resume from Monday “had been taken out of context”.
He said that some international institutions and missions in the Afghan capital were regularly in contact with PIA and had requested to run charter flights, prompting the airline to seek permission.
We had actually applied for a charter flight permission to Kabul that was taken up by media and they actually said PIA is now resuming its regular flight operation from Sept 13, which is not the case, the VOA report quoted him as saying.
According to the PIA spokesperson, certain arrangements need to be in place before flight operations could resume.
Is Pia Really Going To Resume International Flight Operation From April 4
The United States of America and several European countries are new epicenters of Coronavirus outbreak. Amid such global crisis, should the national carrier resume international flight operation?
The Pakistan International Airlines has reportedly decided to partially restore international flights from April 4 from the New Islamabad International Airport. The Civil Aviation Authority has issued the Airline Operational Standard Operating Procedure for the April 4-11 period.
Pakistan International Airlines PIA makes important decision over the international flights restoration
Times of lsIamabad
Spokesman for the Aviation Division Abdul Sattar Khokhar, who is also a senior joint secretary, said that the restoration of regular flights was under consideration, but a final decision has not been taken yet. However, he confirmed that CAA has issued SOPs.
The government had suspended operations of all international passenger flights, and chartered and private inbound flights to Pakistan from March 21 to April 4.
Read more: PIA suspends international flight operation amid coronavirus outbreak
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Security Moeed Yusuf has said the international flight operation will start resuming slowly from April 4 or 5. Talking to the media on Monday, he said that no Pakistani passenger is stranded at any airport across the world. The domestic flights will remain closed till further orders, he said.
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Afghanistan: Pakistan Airline Stops Flights Citing Taliban Intimidation
Pakistan International Airlines has suspended flights to the Afghan capital Kabul, citing “heavy-handed” interference from the Taliban.
The decision came after the Taliban ordered the airline to cut prices to levels seen before the fall of the Western-backed government in August.
PIA has been the only foreign carrier operating regular flights out of Kabul.
Tickets to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, had been selling for up to 10 times the August rate.
The Taliban government’s Transport Ministry said in a statement quoted by Reuters that tickets should “be adjusted to correspond with the conditions of a ticket before the victory of the Islamic Emirate”, i.e. $120-150 .
It urged passengers to report any violations of this order, which was also directed at Afghan carrier Kam Air.
Flights could be banned if the airlines did not comply, it added.
But PIA spokesman Abdullah Khan said the company had to deal with last-minute changes by officials to regulations and flight permissions.
Its staff were also facing intimidation, with its representative held at gunpoint for several hours, Mr Khan added.
Services between the two countries have been severely limited since international flights resumed last month following the departure of US troops at the end of August.
A dire shortage of seats has meant one way tickets selling for as much as $1,200.
However, there has been disappointment at PIA’s decision from some passengers.
Pakistan Airlines Plans To Return To New York In May 2020
In March 2019, PIA announced their intentions to once again offer service to the US. This time they want to fly nonstop, though, as they said that operating via any third point makes the flight economics unviable.
The companys CEO pointed out that theyve improved greatly when it comes to safety, and with the opening of the new Islamabad Airport, a lot more aviation authorities have faith in the safety of the airport. For example, British Airways has even resumed flights to Islamabad.
PIA
PIA had asked for the help of the US in facilitating these flights, and in July 2019, representatives from the US Transportation Security Administration were in Islamabad to audit the airport, in hopes of getting approval for nonstop flights to the US.
We havent heard much about this in July, but yesterday a PIA spokesperson stated that the airline plans to launch Islamabad to New York flights in May 2020, subject to TSA clearance.
Its anyones guess if it actually comes to fruition this time around, as weve heard this repeatedly. But the fact that theyre giving an alleged month for the route to launch is more than weve gotten in the past.
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Pia Flights To Resume To England From October 30
PIA to start operations with European aircrafts
The Pakistan International Airlines will resume its operations to England with new European aircrafts and crew from October 30.
In the first phase, flights will be operated from Islamabadand Lahore to London and Islamabad to Manchester.
The flights will operate directly with new aircraft, comfortable seats, halal food and the worlds best in-flight entertainment, a PIA spokesperson said.
Hopefully our guests will be better than any of the best airlines or we will choose the national airline for the best service, the spokesperson added.
He said PIA has started booking tickets.
European Union Air Safety Agency had suspended the authorisation for PIA to operate inEurope for six months.
Pakistan Airlines Stopped Flying To The Us In 2017
In October 2017, Pakistan International Airlinesstopped flying to New York, which was their only destination in the US at the time. The airline had flown to the US for over 50 years, and over time flew to New York, Chicago, and Houston.
The airline was allegedly losing about 12 million USD per year flying to the US, and thats in spite of the fact that the route only operated twice per week. PIA was no doubt at a disadvantage in many ways:
- Their onboard product was outdated, with angled seats in business class
- The airline wasnt able to operate nonstop flights to the US due to safety reasons, so the flight had to fly from Pakistan to Manchester to New York, with passengers being rescreened in Manchester
- Fares on the big three Gulf carriers are often quite reasonable between Pakistan and the US, so the yields werent great
I had the chance to fly from Manchester to New York in PIA business class, and had an interesting flight.
PIAs 777 business class
The thing about national airlines flying to New York is that while its something that is often done for prestige, in reality its rarely a money maker. For example, in late 2018 Kenya Airways started flying to New York, which they described as a game changer. Just a few months after launching the route, Kenya Airways CEO said there is nothing lucrative about flying to New York.
And that brings us back to Pakistan Airlines
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Taliban Ask Airlines To Resume International Flights To Afghanistan
The Taliban government in Afghanistan appealed on Sunday for international flights to be resumed, promising full cooperation with airlines and saying that problems at Kabul airport had been resolved.
The statement from the foreign affairs ministry comes as the new administration has stepped up efforts to open up the country and gain international acceptance following the collapse of the Western-backed government last month.
A limited number of aid and passenger flights have been operating from the airport. But normal commercial services have yet to resume since it was closed in the wake of the chaotic evacuation of tens of thousands of foreigners and vulnerable Afghans that followed the Taliban’s seizure of the capital.
The airport, which was damaged during the evacuation, has since been reopened with the assistance of technical teams from Qatar and Turkey.
Read more:12 US troops, 60 Afghans die in blasts at Kabul airport
While some airlines including Pakistan International Airlines have been offering limited services and some people have been able to get places on flights, prices have been reported to be many times higher than normal.
Foreign ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi said the suspension of international flights had left many Afghans stranded abroad and also prevented people from travelling for work or study.