PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand goes on leave

PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand goes on leave

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) Bernd Hildenbrand had gone on leave but until his name is on the Exit Control List (ECL) he is not allowed to leave the country.

The German national is on the ECL pending an investigation by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) into corruption and illegal actions by the ACEO.

According to an airline spokesman, Hildenbrand had requested for a 15-day leave which was approved by the Chairman of the airline. In his absence, Chief Financial Office (CFO) Nayyar Hayat will look after the charge of ACEO.

Hildenbrand had also requested for his name to be removed from the ECL however the airline has intimated the German national that until his name is removed from the ECL he is not allowed to leave the country.

The FIA is carrying out an investigation against the PIA CEO for leasing aircraft at inflated rates in comparison to prevailing market rates and for selling a PIA Airbus A310 aircraft to a German museum in violation of the rules and regulations