PIA pilots refuse to fly back Pakistanis stranded in Iraq after colleagues contract virus
Two Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilots, one air hostess contracted the virus
PHOTO: AFP/FILE
RAWALPINDI:
Pakistan International Airlines' (PIA) pilots refused to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Iraq on Tuesday after two pilots and an air hostess of the flag carrier tested positive for coronavirus.
PK-9813, travelling from Islamabad to Baghdad, was to fly back 161 Pakistanis who gathered at the Baghdad airport from various Iraqi cities.
The flight was supposed to leave for Baghdad at 5am on Tuesday morning, but was still to depart as of 12:00 noon.
The pilots reportedly did not arrive at the airport despite the PIA CEO's and other officials assurance regarding provision of protective gear.
The refusal came following an ongoing standoff between the PIA and the Pakistan Air Line Pilots' Association (Palpa) after the three crewmembers contracted the virus. They were onboard the recent special flight operated to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Canada.
The association has also protested the non-provision of safety equipment to the carrier's crew by the PIA.
Pakistani students stranded in Turkey desperate to return
Earlier this month, hundreds of Pakistani citizens including students stranded in Turkey awaited the government’s flight plan approval to return home amid a flight ban till April 11, according to official sources.
PIA General Manager Public Affairs Abdullah Khan said the national flag carrier submits a flight plan for approval from the government on a daily basis and Turkey is on the list of countries that will receive special flights for bringing back stranded individuals.
“We have brought back 8,000 people from Saudi Arabia and 194 passengers from Turkey.”
Khan revealed that the plane crew is tested medically, given N95 masks and protective gear before boarding these special flights and are quarantined for six weeks if they get off the plane.
Pakistan International Airlines' (PIA) pilots refused to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Iraq on Tuesday after two pilots and an air hostess of the flag carrier tested positive for coronavirus.
PK-9813, travelling from Islamabad to Baghdad, was to fly back 161 Pakistanis who gathered at the Baghdad airport from various Iraqi cities.
The flight was supposed to leave for Baghdad at 5am on Tuesday morning, but was still to depart as of 12:00 noon.
The pilots reportedly did not arrive at the airport despite the PIA CEO's and other officials assurance regarding provision of protective gear.
The refusal came following an ongoing standoff between the PIA and the Pakistan Air Line Pilots' Association (Palpa) after the three crewmembers contracted the virus. They were onboard the recent special flight operated to bring back stranded Pakistanis from Canada.
The association has also protested the non-provision of safety equipment to the carrier's crew by the PIA.
Pakistani students stranded in Turkey desperate to return
Earlier this month, hundreds of Pakistani citizens including students stranded in Turkey awaited the government’s flight plan approval to return home amid a flight ban till April 11, according to official sources.
PIA General Manager Public Affairs Abdullah Khan said the national flag carrier submits a flight plan for approval from the government on a daily basis and Turkey is on the list of countries that will receive special flights for bringing back stranded individuals.
“We have brought back 8,000 people from Saudi Arabia and 194 passengers from Turkey.”
Khan revealed that the plane crew is tested medically, given N95 masks and protective gear before boarding these special flights and are quarantined for six weeks if they get off the plane.