In an unexpected turn of events, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced severe consequences when one of its flight attendants managed to reach Canada without a passport, revealed insider sources as reported by ARY News. The incident unfolded as the air hostess was slated for duty on flight PK-781 from Islamabad to Toronto.
Defying conventional norms, she made the journey from Islamabad to Toronto relying solely on PIA General Declaration documents, sidestepping the usual passport prerequisite. Following this breach, the national carrier incurred a hefty fine for allowing its crew members to enter Canada without proper documentation.
Confirming the imposition of a fine amounting to USD 250 for the violation, a PIA spokesperson underscored the seriousness of the offense. However, the spokesperson dismissed speculations suggesting any ulterior motives behind the air hostess’s actions upon her arrival in Canada.
It is pertinent to highlight that in the past two years, more than 10 PIA flight attendants have reportedly gone missing in Canada, raising alarming concerns regarding the safety and well-being of airline personnel on international routes. Just earlier this month, on March 1, another member of the PIA cabin crew was reported missing in Canada, as corroborated by the spokesperson of the national carrier.
Jibran Baloch, a flight steward, was anticipated to resume duty on PIA flight PK-782 in Toronto on February 29 but failed to report for duty on the return flight to Pakistan. Adding to the mystery, a female air hostess named Maryam Raza also vanished from her accommodation. During the investigation of her hotel room, authorities stumbled upon her uniform along with a note expressing gratitude to PIA, as per reports from ARY News.
On March 14, Pakistan’s Aircraft Owners and Operators Association (AOOA) released a comprehensive analysis highlighting the setbacks in the aviation sector, attributing them to a lack of professionalism resulting in issues with pilot licenses. These issues led to European Union (EU) countries imposing a ban on the operations of Pakistani airlines within their territories, as reported by Dawn. The white paper released by AOOA underscored the critical need to appoint competent individuals to appropriate positions within the industry. It delineated various factors contributing to the industry’s decline and proposed remedial actions to address them.