PIA faces a big setback over the international flights operation
Shares
ISLAMABAD - PIA faces a big setback over the international flights operation as the management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided not to file an appeal against suspension in Europe.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had barred Pakistani airlines from their airspace for six months due to flight safety issues.
PIA management had earlier decided to file an appeal against the move, hoping that they will get the EASA’s decision overturned. However, the two-month deadline expired on August 30, and the national airline did not submit a formal request against the ban. ------------------------------
According to sources, the management opted against filing the appeal on the eleventh hour. This was due to the scheduled visit of the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) safety audit team on September 7.
The management believes that they will be in a better position to present their case once the IATA team is satisfied with the operational and safety management of PIA.
------------------------------
The IATA audit is conducted every two years. The last time the Air Transport Association carried out an audit of PIA was in 2018. However, this time it will be quite different with more at stake.
