KARACHI: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued notices to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and three other private airlines for canceling scheduled domestic flights.
The CAA took strict notice of the decision of the four airlines regarding the cancellation of scheduled domestic flights to utilise the aircraft for operating international chartered flights.
In its notice, the aviation authority stated that various public complaints were registered against the cancellation of the scheduled domestic flights by the airlines.
The statement added that in light of the above-stated cancellation of 383 flights — from October 1 to October 18 — depicting a total percentage of 33.4%, “the Competent Authority before to withhold all international chartered flight permissions forthwith.”
The CAA clarified that cancellation of domestic flights, if any, will only be made consequent upon technical reasons or force majeure circumstances. Moreover, it further added that flight cancellations on the pretext of technical reasons will only be allowed subject to its confirmation from the Airworthiness Directorate.
“Commercial interest in operating international flight operations may be enticing in the current times but it is the duty of Pakistan CAA to uphold the spirit of public convenience and necessity,” it said.
It mentioned that 383 out of 1,145 scheduled domestic flights had been cancelled from October 1 to 18. It added that the planes were utilised for international chartered operations.
