HolidayWeekly

The Voice of Tourism in Pakistan

Ad example

PIA

EASA Rejects CAA Offer | EU Suspends PIA Flights Indefinitely

by Leave a Comment

KARACHI: The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has indefinitely extended the suspension of Pakistan International Airlines flight operations to the EU until it has all the necessary information “available to decide on the way forward”, reported The News.

PIA’s Third Country Operations Authorization (TCOA) was suspended by the EU in July 2020 for six months after controversial statements by Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan regarding the verification of degrees of Pakistani pilots working for the national flag carrier and other airlines.

The EASA decision to suspend PIA flight operations to the EU had come in February 2021, after the International Civil Aviation Organisation made public a ‘Significant Safety Concern for Pakistan”, indicating a serious degradation of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority certification and oversight capabilities.

Eventually, the EASA extended the suspension for another three months till March 31 of this year.

In its latest review, the EASA rejected the PCAA offer stating that the information shared by the Pakistani authority did not help end their uneasiness about PCAA oversight. It added that under the legal instruments, the Third Country Operations Authorization of PIA must be revoked.

The EASA informed the CAA and PIA that “their offer to use only flight crew and engineers not holding Pakistani licenses does not fully mitigate all concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of the PCAA”.

“At this moment, the EASA, therefore, considers that not all conditions required to lift the suspension are met. EASA should now revoke the TCOA (Third Country Operations Authorization) in line with EASA, ART.235(c)(1) of Part-ART,” said the statement.

However, the EU agency has decided not to take any drastic action against PIA and chose to extend the suspension indefinitely till all necessary information is available.

Regional Tourism To Boost | First PIA Flight from Lahore Lands at Skardu

by Leave a Comment

GILGIT: First-ever direct flight from Lahore of the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) landed at the Skardu Airport here on Wednesday, April 07.

The PK-8453 flight took off from the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday morning with 153 passengers on board and landed at the Skardu Airport after one hour and 15 minutes.

The PIA officials received and presented bouquets of flowers to the passengers at the airport.

Later, a cake-cutting ceremony was also held to celebrate the occasion.

Gilgit-Baltistan tourism minister Raja Nasir Ali Khan said the first PIA flight coming directly from Lahore also received a water cannon welcome upon landing at the Skardu Airport.

He said there would be two weekly flights on the Lahore-Skardu route, which would go a long way in boosting tourism in the region.

He thanked federal aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan and Pakistan International Airlines for the landmark achievement.

“I promise to take the tourism sector of Gilgit-Baltistan to new heights during my tenure as tourism minister,” he promised.

The tourism minister said flights between Lahore and Skardu would open a new travel corridor for domestic and international tourists.

He said he was looking forward to the flight’s sustainable operation as this would not only promote tourism but also add up to the revenue of the national flag carrier.

PIA CEO Arshad Malik said that the new flight operations would promote tourism in the country.

PIA Resumes | Regular Flight Operations To Swat

by Leave a Comment

SWAT: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) restored regular flight operations to Swat after a gap of 17 years on Friday.

Flight PK-650, carrying tourists as well Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, and federal minister Murad Saeed, landed at the picturesque valley at 11 am on Friday, March 26.

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.

Speaking at the departure of the flight, the aviation minister said that the flights to the city were earlier closed due to financial constraints and terrorism.

He added that the people of Swat and Malakand bravely fought back terrorism alongside security forces.

The flights, he maintained, will not just add to the national exchequer but also boost tourism in Pakistan. Swat will also witness development as a result, he maintained.

Following the flight’s arrival, a ceremony presided over by the K-P CM, was held at the airport. Public office holders in the district were also in attendance.

Talking to the media, Mahmood termed the regularisation of flights after a span of 17 years a significant milestone.

The minister felicitated the people of Malakand in general and Swat in specific on the important development.

He hoped that the regularisation would help uplift tourism and employment opportunities in the valley.

Mahmood added that the incumbent government was paying special attention to boosting tourism.

“Efforts are on to identify new tourism sites and to revamp them at par with international standards. Work is also ongoing to establish various integrated tourism zones in the province.” he maintained.

PIA Flights to Tashkent | Arshad Malik Meets Uzbek Ambassador

by Leave a Comment

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has sought permission from Uzbekistan to operate its flights from Lahore to Tashkent and announced an increase in the number of international flights.

PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said that PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik had intensified efforts to launch Tashkent flights and talks had been held between the PIA CEO and Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan His Excellency Aibak Arif Usmanov and Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan Syed Ali Asad Gilani.

During the meeting, the PIA sought permission to start Lahore-Tashkent flights as the national flag carrier planned to start the flights by the end of March, the spokesman added.

The Uzbek cities of Tashkent, Bukhara and Samarkand are important for religious tourism.

Abdullah added that PIA had been expanding its operations to Central Asian countries including Afghanistan and said Insha’Allah PIA’s fifth flight to Kabul would start from March 4, while flights from Lahore to Baku would start from March 14.

SATA Signs | GSA Agreement with PIA

by Leave a Comment

SHARJAH: The Sharjah Airport Travel Agency (SATA) has announced the signing of a General Sales Agency (GSA) agreement with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

As per the agreement, SATA will provide all travel ticket sales services through PIA and promote the airline through its branches in Sharjah, the Northern Emirates, and on its website.

The agreement came as PIA opened its new office, in the presence of Ali Salim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Airport Authority; Sheikh Faisal bin Saoud Al Qassimi, director of Sharjah Airport Authority; Shahid Ali Moghul, regional director of PIA; and Arshad Munir, GM of SATA. The airline currently operates 17 weekly flights connecting Sharjah with Peshawar, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Sialkot, Karachi, and Turbat.

The agreement comes as an extension of the strategic plan of the SATA, which aims to strengthen its partnerships with regional and international airlines. In addition, this agreement is in line with SATA’s plan to provide its high standard of services to all its customers in the UAE.

SATA was established in 1985, and is a fully accredited agency by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The agency is one of the fastest growing travel agencies in the United Arab Emirates with its branches located in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman.

Members to Get Discount | PIA’s Outlet Inaugurated at KCCI

by Leave a Comment

KARACHI: The Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) has achieved yet another significant milestone as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)’s outlet was inaugurated within KCCI’s premises which will be providing 10 percent discount on domestic and international flights not only to KCCI members and staff but also their family members.

In this regard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) PIA Air Marshal Retd. Arshad Malik and President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra at a ceremony organized at KCCI which was also attended by Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) & Former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala, Senior Vice President KCCI Saqib Goodluck, Vice President Shamsul Islam Khan, Former Presidents Younus Muhammad Bashir, Shamim Ahmed Firpo & Junaid Esmail Makda and others.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO PIA Arshad Malik paid glowing tribute to Late Siraj Kassam Teli for his exceptional services to the country, particularly the business & industrial community. “Because of his splendid work, Siraj Teli would go down in the history and will always be remembered. He was a fatherly figure who fearlessly raised voice for the rights of business community and Karachi city”, he added.

He informed that PIA has recently airlifted a cargo of kinnows and was particularly focused on providing cargo facilities at competitive rates hence, KCCI members should use PIA’s cargo service for sending their cargoes at corporate rates which will be kept lower than the market rates. “You decide the price for cargo and we will live up to it”, he added.

He further informed that PIA management was taking every possible step for the betterment of the airline and in this regard, a Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) with attractive package was given to some 2000 employees. “Segregation of core and non-core groups was likely while the aircrafts acquired on expensive lease were being returned and replaced with better aircrafts at reasonable rates”, he added.

In response to a suggestion pertaining to commencement of direct flights to northern areas, he said that although PIA was capable of providing direct flight but it was currently not possible due to lack of runways and refueling facilities in many areas of the country. “Keeping in view the potential of Gwadar, the number of direct flights has been raised to three from one as this city is going to become a major hub of economic and financial activities.”

Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, in his remarks, appreciated all the efforts being made by CEO PIA to improve the performance of national flag carrier which has to be improved to such an extent that PIA thrives and flies high not only in the skies of Pakistan but also the rest of the world.

In his welcome address, President KCCI Shariq Vohra, while appreciating the efforts being made by CEO PIA to pull the national flag carrier out of crises, stressed the need to make collective efforts and aggressively promote the good things happening at PIA while KCCI, with an impressive membership base, can become a good partner of PIA in various fields.

He was of the opinion that the airlines business has been growing in Pakistan as AirSial, AirBlue and SereneAir have been enjoying thriving businesses with aircrafts flying at full capacity therefore, PIA must also focus on improving the market share by offering its service at competitive rates through cost reduction. “In this regard, the domestic industry has to be integrated with PIA which would certainly reduce cost and save valuable foreign exchange”, he added

Kingdom’s Travel Ban | Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia Can Return Home Via PIA

by Leave a Comment

KARACHI: PIA flights will continue to operate to bring back Pakistanis already in Saudi Arabia, the airline’s spokesperson confirmed after the kingdom’s decision to suspend arrivals from 20 countries, including Pakistan.

The ban was placed from 9pm Wednesday, February 3, the PIA spokesperson said.

The ban has been imposed in the wake of a new wave of coronavirus.

Prior to the ban, PIA flights were operating as usual from Sialkot to Dammam, Multan to Madina and Islamabad to Riyadh.

The ban by Saudi Arabia excludes diplomats, Saudi citizens, medical practitioners and their families.

Saudi Arabia had said it would bar entry of people arriving from the UAE, Egypt, Lebanon, and Turkey, as well as the United States, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Japan.

The country’s interior ministry said the suspension includes travellers who transited through the aforementioned countries within the 14 days prior to their planned journey to the kingdom.

Missing Crew Incidents | PIA To Confiscate Passports Of Crew

by Leave a Comment

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) issued a series of new directives on Monday, February 1,   for its cabin crew in a bid to control incidents of staff slipping away in other countries.

The new directive includes the confiscation of passports of crew on arrival abroad in a bid to control recent incidents of staff “slipping away” in other countries.

PIA General Manager Flight Services Aamir Bashir issued the new guidelines and said “the steps have been taken in view of the incidents of cabin staff slipping away in other countries.”

A PIA spokesperson acknowledged that there had been two recent incidents of cabin crew going missing in Canada, adding that the matter was reported to Canadian immigration authorities.

According to the new rule the passports of the cabin crew would be kept in the custody of the station manager after they clear immigration and customs checks post arrival in other countries. The passports would be returned at the time of check-in on departing flights, Bashir said.

The second directive issued concerns cabin crew mobility and security. It says hotel security would be activated to ensure that every member of the cabin crew checks in on arrival and any discrepancy in staff can be reported by hotel staff.

The new rules also say that due to the prevailing pandemic situation, mobility of cabin crew would be restricted and they would not be allowed to stay out of hotel premises at night.

PIA Celebrates | Its 66Th Anniversary

by Leave a Comment

KARACHI: Last week Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) celebrated its 66th anniversary at its head office in Karachi.  Commemorating 66th year in service to the nation, PIA held a modest ceremony. The occasion was graced by celebrity performer and philanthropist   Mr. Shehzad Roy while Mr. Zaryab Sultan performed national songs for the audience. A ceremonial cake cutting ceremony was performed by CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag carrier of Pakistan  PIA was founded on 29 October 1946 as Orient Airways, and was initially based in Calcutta, British India, before shifting operations to the newly independent state of Pakistan in 1947.

Orient Airways was nationalised to form the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC). The new airline commenced international services in 1955 to London, via Cairo and Rome.

PIA became the first Asian airline to operate jet aircraft with the induction of the Boeing 707 into commercial service on 7 March 1960   and later in 1964 became the first non-Communist airline to fly to China.

The airline played a vital role in the establishment of the Emirates airline in 1985. In 2004, PIA become the launch customer of the Boeing 777-200LR. On 10 November 2005, PIA used the Boeing 777-200LR to complete the world’s longest nonstop flight by a commercial airliner. This flight lasted 22 hours and 22 minutes on the eastbound route between Hong Kong and London.

EU Ban On PIA | Won’t be Lifted Soon: EASA

by Leave a Comment

KARACHI: A day after Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan expressed hopes that the ban imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate flights in Europe would be lifted soon, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) informed the national flag carrier that the ban had been extended by three months and that it would not be reviewed until a safety audit of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), it emerged on Saturday, December 26.

Only on Friday, the aviation minister had told reporters in Taxila that most concerns of EASA regarding the process of issuing licences to commercial pilots had been addressed and soon the ban imposed on PIA flights in European countries would be lifted.

The EASA ban is not only causing a huge financial loss to PIA, it is also giving an opportunity to foreign airlines to expand their operations.

However, a senior PIA official confirmed that PIA had received a disappointing message in response to a request made by the airline.

He said that the national carrier had asked the European agency to give its provisional permission to operate flights to and from European destinations since it had met several conditions.

Request for permission to operate flights in European countries declined; ban extended for three months

“We have asked EASA that they can conduct a safety audit of PIA, free from CAA, and in the meantime grant us provisional permission,” he said, adding that in response the agency said it could not issue such a permission.

The EASA letter says: “Regarding the lack of confidence in certification and oversight activities performed by the Pakistani CAA, which was the second aspect that led to the suspension of Third Country Operator Authorisation, the investigation performed by the European Commission and by the ICAO have not yet been concluded.

The official explained that the ban was not on PIA  but on the state of Pakistan and it would not be lifted until the regulator brought reforms to the satisfaction of EASA.

Sources said that PIA was in constant touch with the European agency and had provided it necessary documents as evidence regarding the implementation of the agreed corrective action plan. EASA had told PIA that it found the documents satisfactory but linked the lifting of the ban with meeting certain conditions that primarily related to the CAA because of the ‘fake’ pilots’ licence issue.

Earlier this month, British airline Virgin Atlantic launched its direct flight operations for Islamabad and Lahore while British Airways had already expanded its operations from Islamabad to Lahore.

EASA had in July suspended the authorisation for PIA to operate flights in the EU member states for six months due to safety concerns after the aviation minister, while making public the preliminary report of the May 22 air crash, told parliament that 262 Pakistani pilots possessed dubious licences.