Flight operation resumed after PIA pilots end strike

KARACHI: The national flag-carrier resumed its flight operation as pilots end strike and started returning to airports after dialogues between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) administration and PALPA (Pakistan Airline Pilots’ Association), ARY News reported on Tuesday.

The flight operation of the national airline resumed after PIA and pilots’ association reached an agreement for the safety measures of aircraft crew due to coronavirus pandemic.

Pilots started returning to the airports who were previously went on strike to protest against PIA administration over the calls of PALPA. The flights from Islamabad and Lahore have been readied for departure to United Kingdom and Canada.

The boarding process has started for the passengers of Lahore-Toronto flight PK-783 and Islamabad-Birmingham flight PK-791. PIA spokesperson said that more than 600 passengers will depart from the country through the special flights.

Special arrangements have been made for the protection of pilots, flight attendants and crew members from coronavirus pandemic.

PIA, PALPA agreement

Talks between secretary aviation and Pakistan Airline Pilots’ Association (PALPA) on Tuesday culminated on a successful note after the latter had refused to operate Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights due to unsatisfactory disinfection arrangements amid coronavirus pandemic.

According to details, a meeting was led by Secretary Aviation Hassan Nasir Jamy with PIA and PALPA representatives, where they agreed over to operate flights after following proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the wake of COVID-19.

According to the agreement finalized between the two sides, the crew members and pilots of the PIA planes would be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).

The plane will be disinfected and be provided with all preventive equipment, it said adding that the PIA would train the staffers carrying out the disinfection process.

The two sides agreed said that the pilots would monitor the disinfection process and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) inspector would give clearance certificate for it.

If a pilot is not satisfied with the disinfection process then he could refuse to fly the plane.

It is pertinent to mention here that the PALPA had prohibited pilots from operating special flights after coronavirus-related SOPs have been ignored.

“It has come to our notice that on recently operated “humanitarian flights” safety has been compromised and COVID-19 related SOPs have been ignored,” reads a statement released by PALPA.

The circulation reads that the safety and health of crew members remain an utmost priority and PALPA will not compromise on the safety of its members.