Tag: Pakistan International Airlines

  • Over 3,500 PIA employees likely to lose jobs

    Over 3,500 PIA employees likely to lose jobs

    Pakistan has approved funding of about $81 million in cash to support flagship carrier Pakistan International Airlines’ planned voluntary redundancy scheme, which could affect thousands of jobs.

    The loss-making carrier has been looking to reduce costs, particularly since the impact of the pandemic, as well as the fallout from a fake pilot credentials scandal.

    PIA is aiming to cut roughly one-third of its workforce, Reuters reported, which would reduce the airline’s headcount to roughly 7,000-7,500 employees from the around 11,000 staff PIA said it employed in its 2019 annual report.

    The government has approved Rs12.87 billion ($81.46 million) in funding for the airline to move forward on the voluntary retirement scheme, the news agency reported.

    In a statement on Tuesday, the government said: “After … discussion, it was decided to approve, in principal, the voluntary separation from service scheme for PIA.”

    PIA said it was looking to reduce its aircraft to employee ratio to 250 employees per aircraft. PIA spokesman Abdullah H. Khan said the scheme was part of the airline’s plan to restructure and bring employee numbers closer to industry standards.

    “Employees will be offered an attractive voluntary separation scheme and people would have 14 days to avail (themselves of) the offer,” Khan told Reuters.

    The targeted staff ratio is high compared with neighbouring India, where Air India has roughly 130 employees per aircraft, based on Indian government data.

    In a business plan submitted to the government last year, PIA said it was looking to have fewer than 5,500 people working on 45 aircraft – or fewer than 125 employees per aircraft – by 2021.

    The government statement on Tuesday gave no further details on the redundancy scheme or how many pilots or other categories of staff would be affected.

    Earlier this year, the government said PIA had a total of 434 pilots. Some of their jobs have been terminated in an ongoing process of investigating their credentials.

    The pilot scandal has tainted Pakistan’s aviation industry and stung PIA, which has been barred from flying to Europe and the United States after dozens of its pilots were named by the country’s own civil aviation regulator for holding allegedly “dubious” licences.

    Pakistan’s pilots union, which raised questions on the investigation, cast doubts over the voluntary redundancy scheme.

    “I think this scheme will fail as it would take two and half years to complete,” Captain Salman Riaz, president of the Pakistan Airline Pilots Association, told Reuters in a message.

    PIA’s move comes as other airlines globally cut costs sharply amid travel restrictions and a collapse in global air travel during the pandemic.

  • Lahore-Karachi crash survivor flies again, shows confidence in PIA

    Lahore-Karachi crash survivor flies again, shows confidence in PIA

    Bank of Punjab President and Chief Executive Officer Zafar Masud, one of the only two survivors of the tragic Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash from May 22, 2020, has taken to the air once again.

    Overcoming his fear of flying just months after surviving an air crash, Masud bravely chose PIA as his carrier of choice on Saturday when he boarded flight PK-304 from Karachi to Lahore.

    At Jinnah International Airport, he was welcomed by PIA Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Khalilullah Sheikh and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) & Head of Engineering Amir Ali. He was assured of all safety measures being taken for his flight by ground and air staff alike.

    Upon landing in Lahore, PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik personally received the guest at the arrival gate.

    Masud said that despite the trauma he previously faced, he had a pleasant flight with PIA, adding that it was one of the smoothest landings he had ever experienced.

    Masud is also part of PIA’s reforms process and restructuring drive and has said that he stands firmly in support of the national airline, an airline with which he said he felt at home, both now and before the incident.

    The PIA CEO has reportedly thanked Masud and said that PIA feels indebted to him.

    He said PIA will strive to meet the expectations of all civilians and is working tirelessly to bring prestige back to the airline.

    PIA remains under fire after the air crash that killed 97 passengers and light was shed on the issue of fake licences of nearly one-third of Pakistan’s pilots. Out of the 262 pilots found with fake licenses across Pakistan, 101 of them were affiliated with PIA.

    The airline has since grounded and suspended all pilots suspected of having a dubious license and increased safety and security measures on all flights.

  • Aviation vlogger Noel Philips shares experience of travelling on ‘banned’ PIA

    Aviation vlogger Noel Philips shares experience of travelling on ‘banned’ PIA

    Travel expert and aviation vlogger, Noel Philips, recently released a vlog, sharing his experience of travelling on Pakistan International Airline (PIA) that is now banned in Europe and the United States (US) after it was revealed by the aviation minister that a large number of commercial pilots hold fake licenses.

    Noel shared his experience in a video titled ‘Flying a banned airline – Pakistan International Airline‘.

    Phillips said he was quite surprised after “seeing so many people with so much excess baggage”. As he entered the plane, he was welcomed and guided to his seat by a PIA official. 

    He then shared that a few passengers were shouting on flight attendants.

    “Most of the customers are onboard and a few people are on wrong seats and we’ve got passengers shouting at flight attendants and things, flight attendants running around with bits of paper in the hands.”

    Because of the chaos, the flight took off half an hour later than the scheduled time. 

    Phillips said he liked the food served on his flight.

    Sharing the cons, he said he was shocked to see garbage under the seats after he pushed his seat back. He further said that when he laid down to take some rest, he was woken up by “the unmistakable smell of cigarette smoke.” 

     “Passengers are strictly prohibited from smoking onboard PIA flights. I mean, there is a sign and everything and I am sure that not a single member of the crew or passengers would ever want to bend those rules, not on PIA surely.”

    Phillips, who flew from India to Islamabad, said that he liked the capital’s scenic views, the hospitality of Pakistani people and masala curries. 

    He wanted to share what people think about PIA through his vlog and was of the opinion that even a little amount of investment can improve the airlines.

    “And I really do think that given a little bit of investment in their aircraft, PIA could be up there with some of the best airlines,” he said while signing off.

  • PIA cabin crew to be tested for alcohol consumption after smoking in the cockpit

    PIA cabin crew to be tested for alcohol consumption after smoking in the cockpit

    After the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) noticed smoking in the cockpit and the cabin, they issued directives that made it mandatory that the cabin crew of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) take the breathalyser test for alcohol consumption. They also directed that the non-smoking rule on planes be followed in the whole plane.

    RELATED: New heights of friendship: Turkish Airlines to manage Pakistan’s fruit, vegetable exports after PIA ban

    In the notice, which was issued by the PIA‘s medical division and comes into immediate effect, all cabin crew must undergo medical check-ups before boarding flights.

    RELATED: Six-star PIA downgraded to one star on fake licences issue

    The breathalyser test checks for how much alcohol a person has in their blood and based on the results, the medical division will decide whether they can board the flight. The CAA had already made it mandatory that pilots and cockpit crew be tested for alcohol levels, but now the air hosts will be tested as well.

  • PIA likely to face losses over Rs100 billion amid bans, coronavirus

    PIA likely to face losses over Rs100 billion amid bans, coronavirus

    The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is expected to incur losses over Rs100 billion due to suspension of international flights amid the fake licences controversy and the coronavirus pandemic.

    As per details, the national carrier is expected to incur losses up to Rs100 billion due to ban on flight operations by the United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU) and the United States (US). The target of revenue for the current year was set at Rs196 billion.

    Moreover, PIA would also suffer losses of up to Rs12 billion in terms of Hajj operations this year after the Saudi authorities decided to hold the annual pilgrimage on a limited scale, while the airline is also facing losses up to Rs9 billion due to closure of Umrah operations.

    It is pertinent to mention here that that on July 10, PIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal Arshad Malik had apprised Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan regarding the status of ongoing dialogues with European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the resumption of flight operation. He had also given a briefing to the premier regarding the restructuring process of the national carrier.

    Malik had reportedly presented a comprehensive plan to PM Imran for turning PIA into a profitable national entity and the premier had directed the PIA CEO to expedite the reform process of the national flag carrier.

    He had also summoned the framework for reform agenda within seven days.

  • Six-star PIA downgraded to one star on fake licences issue

    Six-star PIA downgraded to one star on fake licences issue

    Six-star Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been downgraded to one star by AirlineRatings.com after the recent revelation of 150 fake pilot licences.

    The European Union (EU) has banned the airline from member states — costing one star –, while AirlineRatings.com has stripped the airline of three stars for the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) besides one star for the ICAO country audit.

    The rating downgrade to the lowest safety standards could further dent PIA’s business because customers will avoid travelling through it while other countries may close their airports for Pakistan’s national carrier.

    AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said, “Clearly there needs to be an investigation into possible bribery and falsifying related to the pilot licences. This is deeply disturbing as the IOSA audit and ICAO country audit should pick this up.”

    In a statement, IATA said, “We are following reports from Pakistan regarding fake pilot licences, which are concerning and represent a serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator. We are trying to obtain more information on the matter.”

    Earlier, PIA sacked 150 pilots over cheating on their exams in the wake of the Karachi crash of an A320 that killed 98 people in May.

    The sacking had come in the wake of the statement by Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan that 262 out of 860 Pakistani pilots had “fake” licences through bribing other qualified pilots to take the exams.

  • Europe bans PIA

    Europe bans PIA

    • UK, which is no longer a part of the EU since after Brexit, has also banned certain PIA flights

    Amid the controversy around the alleged fake licences of hundreds of Pakistani pilots, operations of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in Europe were on Tuesday banned for six months by the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA).

    According to a spokesperson of the national carrier, EASA has suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate in European Union member states for six months effective July 1, 2020 at midnight.

    A statement from the national carrier added that PIA would discontinue all its flights to Europe temporarily.

    All passengers booked on its flights to European destinations will have the option to either extend their bookings to a later date or get a full refund.

    “PIA is in contact with EASA to allay their concerns and to take necessary corrective measures along with filing the appeal against the decision,” the press release said.

    The national flag carrier said it “sincerely hopes that with reparative and swift actions taken by the Pakistani government and PIA management, earliest possible lifting of this suspension can be expected”.

    Meanwhile, according to journalist Murtaza Ali Shah, United Kingdom (UK), which is no longer a part of the EU since after Brexit but remains subject to EU law, has also suspended PIA flights from and to Birmingham, Heathrow in London, and Manchester with immediate effect.

    “The UK Civil Aviation Authority is required under law to withdraw PIA’s permit to operate to the UK pending EASA’s restoration of their approval that it meets international air safety standards,” the journalist quoted a spokesperson as saying.

    The moves follow the grounding of hundreds of pilots whose licences Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan termed “dubious”. Most pilots were affiliated with PIA.

  • Fashion fraternity mourns the loss of Zara Abid

    Fashion fraternity mourns the loss of Zara Abid

    Karachi-bound flight PK 8303 of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from Lahore on Friday crashed in a residential area of the port city a bit over a minute away from the airport, and two days before Eid killing at least 97 people. Only two male passengers survived the crash.

    Among those who lost their lives in the crash was model Zara Abid sending waves of grief in the fashion and entertainment industry, who lost one of their own.

    Here are a few celebs who remembered Zara and shared their experiences and interactions with her:

    Ayesha Omar

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhxxIvjWCi/

    Mehwish Hayat

    Ushna Shah

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhu3i-BsHp/

    Aiman Khan

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAh2xweFGGX/

    Saba Qamar

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhgu53hi6I/

    Hania Aamir

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiHj8WjWGP/

    Ali Rehman Khan

    Nabila

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAh1AVth9Jj/

    Shehla Chatoor

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAh9vAAAAXr/

    Hassan Sheheryar

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiJa51B7F9/

    Élan

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhnqRngU4c/

    Nomi Ansari

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiYdTrhelR/

    Fouzia Aman

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhavDelbxL/

    Mushk Kaleem

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhftPEppDw/

    Frieha Altaf

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAhjVduADLO/

    Sana Safinaz

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiA5-dAz_1/?utm_source=ig_embed
  • An inconsolable tragedy

    An inconsolable tragedy

    As we struggle to deal with a global pandemic that has claimed over 1,100 lives in Pakistan alone, an inconsolable tragedy has hit us hard.

    A PIA flight from Lahore to Karachi met a tragic fate yesterday. The ill-fated plane’s landing gear reportedly stopped working and when the pilot pulled it up for another round to try and resolve the issue, both its engines failed. The pilot tried to land again — this time in an area near the Jinnah International Airport, but due to the streets being narrow, it hit a mobile tower and crashed.

    There were 91 passengers on board and eight crew members. Two passengers miraculously survived while the crew and the rest of the passengers did not make it. All bodies have been recovered and are now being identified through DNA samples, which may take some time. An investigation team has been constituted to probe the accident.

    A total of 97 lives have been lost. Both young and old, men and women. Friday’s tragedy of PK8303 crash is something that shook everyone. Messages from around the world poured in — from Canadian PM Justin Trudeau to Indian PM Narendra Modi, world leaders paid their condolences. Our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of those who lost their lives. Eid is usually a happy occasion but with coronavirus and this tragedy, it will be a somber affair in Pakistan this time around.

    Pakistan does not have a good record of investigating plane accidents. We hope that there will be a thorough investigation to determine whether the health of the aircraft was satisfactory as well as its maintenance. Aircraft experts are perturbed that so many issues surfaced at the same time — from landing gear malfunctioning to engines that stopped working.

    Those 97 lives cannot be brought back, but the least the state can do is honour those who lost their lives, by getting to the bottom of what exactly happened.

    We understand that nothing will console the grieving families who lost their loved ones just days before Eid. We cannot even begin to imagine the pain they must be going through. But now it is the state’s responsibility to bring some closure. The Sindh government acted in a responsible manner by not giving out names or numbers of the deceased until they could verify and are still in the process of verifying.

    Regular updates from the Sindh Health Department about the rescue and relief operations were also commendable under the face of such a huge tragedy, but a thorough investigation is needed into the response of the district administration as eyewitnesses allege that most people lost their lives to the fire that broke out and rescue teams failed to deal with at the earliest.

    The media — by and large — also acted in a responsible manner despite some editorial lapses. On the other hand, social media and Whatsapp groups went rife with rumours, some even giving false hope to families.

    Here we must pay tribute to the unsung heroes — those who were at the forefront of the rescue and relief efforts, including the law enforcement agencies and humanitarian organisations like the Edhi Foundation. We cannot thank them enough for working tirelessly.

    Life is unpredictable but nothing prepares anyone for a sudden and tragic loss. We pray for the families of those who died in yesterday’s crash.

  • PIA pilot, flight attendants, who brought 200 Pakistanis back from Australia, get coronavirus

    PIA pilot, flight attendants, who brought 200 Pakistanis back from Australia, get coronavirus

    One pilot and three flight attendants of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), who had performed duties on a special flight from Melbourne to Lahore, have tested positive for the new coronavirus — COVID-19.

    As per the details, the national carrier last month ran a one-off flight from Melbourne to Lahore to help hundreds of Pakistanis return home from Australia.

    With the country having blocked all international commercial flights since mid-March — a ban that’s now set to continue for an indefinite period of time — many of the country’s residents have struggled to find a path back to their homeland, making government repatriation flights a necessity.

    A PIA Boeing 777-200LR first flew from Lahore to Melbourne on Friday, April 24. PK8962 departed Pakistan at 5 pm local time, reaching Melbourne the next day at 10:30 am after a journey of 12 hours and 30 minutes.

    Allowing time for the crew to rest before the return leg, the Melbourne-Lahore flight, PK8972, departed at 1 pm on April 26, reaching the provincial capital of Punjab at 9 pm the same day, 13 hours after wheels-up.

    PIA’s Boeing 777-200LR jets can normally accommodate up to 310 passengers, but this repatriation service from Melbourne was capped at 250 passengers.

    Over a week on, reports say that three crew members of the special flight have tested positive for coronavirus.

    The crew members of PIA were earlier awaiting their COVID-19 test results and have now been shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore. Among them are flight attendants Waqar Farooqui, Sofia Shaikh and Ahmed Ammad as well as first officer Shakil Akram.