Observer Report
Paris/Karachi
Irregularities found in pilot licences at Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) represent a “serious lapse” in safety controls, global airlines body IATA said on Thursday after the carrier grounded one third of its pilots.
“We are following reports from Pakistan regarding fake pilot licences, which are concerning and represent a serious lapse in the licensing and safety oversight by the aviation regulator,” an IATA spokesperson said, adding that the organisation was seeking more information.
The statement comes hours after after PIA announced that it will ground a third of its 434 pilots on suspicion they hold “dubious” licences and flying certificates.
At least 150 Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilots were grounded over “dubious licenses”, the national flag-carrier said Thursday, a day after the preliminary report of the Karachi plane crash blamed the pilots and the air traffic control (ATC) for the incident.
A PIA spokesperson said pilots who get their licenses verified would be allowed back on duty. “Grounding so many pilots will affect the PIA flight operation,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added they had already dismissed six pilots with fake degrees. “We have asked the Civil Aviation Authority to send the list of the remaining licenses.
“We acknowledge the report and are working on making our standard better,” the spokesperson said.
In a letter to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the PIA chairperson requested the aviation authority for details of the remaining pilots with dubious and fake commercial licenses. ‘Serious lapse in safety oversight by regulator’ “Action will be taken against all those pilots with fake licenses,” the PIA chairperson said, adding that the airline would take all necessary steps to make the commercial operation safe.
