Tag: flight operation

  • PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    PIA prohibits pilots and cabin crew from fasting during Ramzan

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has prohibited its pilots and cabin staff members from fasting during the holy month of Ramzan.

    As per a recent safety notice released by the national flag carrier, fasting is one of the key factors behind diminished human performance.

    The decision is part of the PIA’s in-flight safety measures, which were recently announced by Aamir Bashir, the PIA’s General Manager (GM) of Flight Services.

    In order to meet the physical and psychological demands of flying, a healthy diet is crucial for pilots. Human errors that result in plane crashes can be minimized by focusing on nutrition due to its strong connection with flying performance.

    On-duty pilots and flying crew members should consider several aspects such as tiredness, performance degradation, and refrain from fasting throughout Ramadan, keeping in view the safety of the innocent lives (passengers and other staff).

    In addition to this, the administration has also allowed pilots and cabin crew members to apply for leave who do not wish to give up fasting during the month of Ramadan.

    Read more: Man hacks airline’s website after he lost his baggage

    Lastly, it also noted that non-compliance with the directive could result in the suspension or cancellation of the flying crew’s licenses.

  • Virgin Atlantic airline to launch direct flights between UK and Pakistan

    Virgin Atlantic airline to launch direct flights between UK and Pakistan

    Virgin Atlantic airline is all set to operate flights between the UK and Pakistan from December this year. According to details, it will launch three new routes: London Heathrow to Lahore; London Heathrow to Islamabad; and Manchester to Islamabad. Flights will go on sale in September.

    In a statement, Virgin’s chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen said: “Pakistan is an extremely exciting opportunity for us – it boasts one of the largest foreign-born populations in both the UK and the US and, as people start to travel to visit loved ones, we’re anticipating the demand  to visit friends and relatives will increase post-COVID-19.”

    “Both Lahore and Islamabad are popular year-round destinations and we look forward to welcoming travellers onboard as demand for leisure and business travel gradually increases to the region,” he added.

    The carrier said that the services would offer “seamless, speedy connections and a consistent long-haul onboard experience for customers travelling from destinations throughout North America, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and San Francisco via London Heathrow onwards to Pakistan”.

    “We also see a significant opportunity to increase competition in the US – Pakistan market. Using the strength of our transatlantic services we’re able to offer customers the shortest journey to and from destinations in the US such as New York, Los Angeles and Washington by connecting through London Heathrow”.

    Welcoming the announcement, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner in a tweet said, “Another sign of #UKPakDosti- Welcome to Pakistan Virgin Atlantic.”

    It is pertinent to mention here that British Airways is currently operating five flights a week between London and Islamabad. On Wednesday, it was reported that the airline is also seeking permission from Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to start operating flights to Lahore, as a team of experts from the airline visited Allama Iqbal International Airport earlier this week to review arrangements made by the airport management.

  • Show your COVID-19 test results or go back: CAA tells travellers coming to Pakistan

    Show your COVID-19 test results or go back: CAA tells travellers coming to Pakistan

    Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a notification on Tuesday saying that in order to prevent the spread of coronavirus in Pakistan, all international flight operations to/from all international airports were suspended except Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad Airports.

    Three steps would be taken to ensure the enhancement of screening with effect from Saturday, March 21, 2020.

    All international passengers arriving in Pakistan shall be required to provide a copy of test results for COVID-19 conducted during the 24 hours prior to boarding the flight. Test results must include the name and passport number of the passenger and the original test result shall be required at the disembarkation airport in Pakistan. It shall be the responsibility of the airline operations to ensure that no passenger boards without the test result. This is in addition to the health declaration form at the point of disembarkation.

  • Coronavirus: PIA suspends flight operations to Beijing till March 15

    Coronavirus: PIA suspends flight operations to Beijing till March 15

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday announced to once again suspend flight operations to China till March 15, journalist Sophia Saifi and Geo News reported.

    Reports quoted a PIA spokesperson as saying that a decision about extending or ending the suspension would be taken after reviewing the situation.

    “PIA has suspended flights to Beijing till March 15,” Geo reported.

    The decision comes amid the spread of the deadly virus to another neighbouring country, Iran, where the death toll rose to eight since the infection was reported on Wednesday last week.

    Last month, Pakistan had suspended operations to China briefly amid coronavirus outbreak and allowed airlines to resume flights only after installing screening machines at airports.