KARACHI: Flight operation resumed as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management and Pakistan Air Line Pilots Association (PALPA) reached an agreement after hectic efforts to end the strike triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to sources, a meeting was led by Secretary Aviation Hassan Nasir Jamy with PIA and PALPA representatives, where they decided to operate flights after following proper standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the wake of the epidemic.
According to the agreement finalized between PIA management and PALPA, the crew members and pilots of the PIA planes would be provided with personal protective gear.
Furthermore, “The pilots will have to operate all the scheduled and special flights while they pilot must inform the administration in case he or she doesn’t want to fly the flight because of COVID-19 related issues”.
It was also decided in the meeting that the planes will be disinfected and be provided with all necessary protective gear.
Sources said that the negotiations between the PIA administration and the Pakistan Air Line Pilots Association (PALPA) had been successful after which a Toronto-bound flight left from Lahore airport.
On Sunday, Pakistan Airline Pilots’ Association (PALPA) had banned pilots from operating special flights after coronavirus related SOPs were ignored.
A statement released by PALPA stated, “It has come to our notice that on recently operated “humanitarian flights” safety has been compromised and COVID-19 related SOPs have been ignored”.
“The safety and health of our crew members has always been and remains our utmost priority. PALPA will in no circumstances compromise on the safety of its members,” it added.
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