PALPA stops pilots from operating flights

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Airlines Pilots’ Association (PALPA), on April 5, has urgently advised all its members not to operate any flights until further orders. 

In a flash to its members, the PALPA official has pointed out that it had come to their notice that safety had been compromised and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) related SOP’s had been ignored on recently operated humanitarian flights. 

It was stated that safety and health of its crew members has always been and remained their utmost priority and the PALPA will, under no circumstances, compromise on the safety of its members. 

According to the PALPA sources, the Corona related symptoms were suspected in four pilots and the crew members were shifted to a private hotel at Karachi airport. 

It was disclosed that a couple of pilots and as many First Officers had reached Karachi after a ferry flight from the UK after having operated a special flight from Islamabad. 

Meanwhile the suspects were being tested for Coronavirus and in case the report came positive they will be pitted to quarantine accordingly. 

According to the PAPLA, it had written a letter to the PIA Management regarding putting pilots on flight operation without protective kits and measures and in the absence of protective measures it has great reservations of allowing pilots on duty under prevailing conditions.