LAHORE: Clarifying a news item appearing in a section of the press
regarding delays of PIA Flights on Thursday, the PIA Spokesman said
that there have been flight delays but these have been attributed to
bad weather and in particular bird hit incidences which are on the
rise.
PIA spokesman has announced that Passengers Safety was PIA’s
foremost priority and all aircraft were maintained and checked as per
international standards by PIA Engineering after which CAA certified
their airworthiness.
It was also informed that in the Past six
months there have been 30 bird hit incidences which were are beyond the
control of the airline, and the airline had requested CAA for an
immediate action. In such cases aircraft is thoroughly checked as per
airline’s standard operating procedure and released after necessary
repair and maintenance.
At present all PIA aircrafts are being
fully utilized and if there is a single bird hit incidence or delays
due weather there is a consequential delay which PIA tries to minimize
by either change of aircraft or quickest repairs and maintenance checks
as per international standards.
A few flights have been
attributed to technical delays. However, the news that no action is
taken against those responsible is not only false but misleading. PIA
Spokesman further said that on the contrary, Managing Director PIA, Mr.
Nadeem Khan Yousufzai had taken a serious notice of the flight delays a
few days back and has instructed PIA officials for on time departures
and arrivals of PIA flights.
He also took serious notice of
long delays in few flights during the past week and instructed the
concerned to initiate an inquiry; after which proper action will be
taken against those responsible for the delays.
MD PIA has also
instructed for special care of passengers in case of unavoidable
situations, said PIA Spokesperson; while referring to the issue of
acquisition of new aircraft is concerned, it was informed that the
issue was very much included in the airline’s Business Plan which has
already been submitted to the Government of Pakistan.
PIA
Spokesman further said that PIA is meeting the extra rush of Umrah
Passengers this year and has so far operated more than 170 extra
section flights for Saudi Arabia. Due long engagement the flight
schedule of these flights sometimes is affected whereas the punctuality
of PIA scheduled flights is over 85% which much above the industry
average.
"In case of long delays passengers are informed well before time to avoid any inconvenience." He concluded. Online
