ISLAMABAD:Taking cognizance of the possible damage of restrictions, Pakistan has quickly moved to undertake diplomatic efforts for removal of European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and international Air Ticketing Agency (IATA) ban on Pakistan International Airline (PIA) entry into European and other countries.
Sources said Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has shared data and other requisite details with EASA, IATA and US Home Land Security agency to persuade them that PIA was a responsible corporate entity and its action for weeding out some suspected pilots was meant to make its operations more secure and safe for its passengers. CAA also informed EASA and other regulators that PIA aircrafts will be operated only by the cockpit crew ,who have verified licenses and they will carry all relevant documents with them during duty as well. CAA further informed to EASA and other regulator that rather then being circumspect, the EU should be more confident and assured that a result oriented process of reform in PIA was in the interest of all regulators and it was the best way to ensure safety of its passengers.
Soon after becoming public of issue of suspected pilots, EASA and IATA had put ban on entry of PIA in Europe and it was followed by a similar restriction by US Home Land Security agency. These restrictions on entry of PIA into Europe and US and that too at a time when international airline industry was already bowing down to the knees due to COVID 19 have caused irreparable loss to the national flag carrier. The ban by powerful counties of the world also sent a dismal signal to Pakistan. The level of disappointment also becomes clear from a PIA chief executive officer (CEO), Arshad Malik’s letter written to top decision-makers in Islamabad which clearly indicates that EASA and IATA slapped ban on PIA without any prior warning. Many in Pakistan also have strong feelings that EASA, IATA and other regulators punitive action against PIA in making the excuse of suspected pilots was a part of international malicious campaign. Otherwise, this section of Pakistani society argues India also had gone through the same trouble of suspected pilots during the same period. but none of the international regulator of safety banned Indian Airline entry into Europe and US.
