‘Rude’ PIA staff restrained from serving on int’l flights

Admin displeased with crew over 'disrespectful behaviour'

ISLAMABAD:

The management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has stopped one of its female flight attendants from serving on international flights for two months while issuing a letter of displeasure to her male colleague.

The action came in wake of a complaint lodged by the management of a private hotel along with a video, alleging the female flight attendant of the national flag carrier acted harshly after her request for booking a room in the hotel was denied.

According to sources, on April 16, two female flight attendants of PIA flight PK-182 reached a private hotel in the federal capital along with a male staff member.

A video of the incident has also surfaced in which the female air hostess can be heard talking to the hotel management. She says “Six crew members have just checked out. Where are they? You people are conniving with the guest houses.”

Later, due to not being given a room, the air hostess got angry and while talking over the phone she hit the phone’s receiver on the hotel’s reception, provoking the official at the reception, who can also be heard asking the security personnel to take the crew members out.

Following the unfortunate incident, the hotel manager complained to the PIA administration with video evidence at which the admin expressed displeasure over the misbehaviour of its staff and GM Flight Operations issued a letter of displeasure to air hostess Ms Anida Arain along with fellow staff member Haji Zafar Ali.

Further, Air Hostess Anida Arain was also suspended from duty on international flights for 60 days.

Expressing concern over the inappropriate behaviour at the reception of a private hotel in Islamabad, the letter said: “Your rude and disrespectful behaviour on the phone and in public with the reception staff is completely unacceptable. Such behaviour is not only unprofessional but also reflects badly on PIA’s organisational reputation. Disrespectful behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2023.