EASA to convene meeting with CAA today

The European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) has called a telephonic meeting with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in Brussels, Belgium on Thursday, regarding the matter of fake licences of Pakistani pilots and engineers.

The EU’s aviation safety body has sought clarification from the CAA regarding the procedure through which licenses are issued. Details have also been sought regarding the licenses issued till July 21.

The meeting will be attended by CAA Director General, Additional Director General, Regulatory Deputy Director General, Director Air Worthiness and Flight Standard Director; it will be chaired by Philippe Cornelius of EU Air Safety Regulation in Brussels.

It was reported on July 4 that the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), along with the country’s diplomats abroad, will file an appeal this week against the six-month ban on the national carrier from operating in Europe.

The airline has also sought the assistance of European and UK parliamentarians of Pakistani origin in resolving the matter as the ban is costing it a loss of billions of rupees.

Pakistani diplomats are engaged in efforts for the reversal of the decision.

The EASA has suspended PIA’s authorisation to operate in EU member states in the wake of the grounding of 262 Pakistani pilots whose licences were termed “dubious” by Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan.

The EU aviation safety watchdog said it was concerned about the validity of the Pakistani pilot licences following the minister’s statement.

Following the EASA’s move, the UK Civil Aviation Authority also withdrew PIA’s permit to operate from three of its airports - Birmingham, London Heathrow and Manchester.

The PIA was operating 23 flights to UK every week – nine to London, 10 to Manchester and four to Birmingham.

The national carrier’s destinations in Europe included Paris, Milan, Barcelona, Oslo and Copenhagen.