US to review PIA flight revival next month

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KARACHI:

After revival of its flights to the European Union (EU) and commence of talks for resuming its flight operations in the United Kingdom, the national flag carrier hopes to finally get the nod also from the aviation authorities in the United States to resume its direct flight to the US.

According to sources, a five-member team from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will arrive in Pakistan in mid-April to assess the restoration of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights.

The final clearance inspection report will determine whether the PIA is upgraded from Category II to Category I. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed, and $75,000 has been paid for consultancy services related to the category upgrade.

In July 2020, PIA flights were banned in the EU, the UK and the US after the aviation minister in former prime minister Imran Khan's cabinet "revealed" a scandal about issuance of flying licenses to individuals without proper training.

Before the ban, the PIA operated six weekly flights to the US, including four to New York and two to Chicago. During the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, the PIA operated chartered flights under special permission.

Meanwhile, the PIA has imposed a ban on photography and videography of aircraft maintenance processes. According to a letter, it has been observed that some individuals are taking unauthorized photos and videos during aircraft maintenance operations.

This is a serious breach of confidentiality and poses significant security risks. To maintain the highest levels of security and privacy, strict adherence to the following protocols is required. It said only authorized personnel, including aircraft engineers or designated security team members, are allowed to capture images or videos during maintenance.

All other individuals, including the ground handling agent (GHA) staff and airline operators, are strictly prohibited from any form of photography or videography. Anyone violating this directive will face strict administrative and disciplinary action.

Strict compliance with these protocols is essential to ensure the confidentiality and safety of aircraft during maintenance operations, it added.