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CAA suspends licenses of 34 PIA pilots

CAA suspends licenses of 34 PIA pilots
July 8, 2020
LAHORE (92 News) – The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has suspended licenses of 34 more pilots of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) over suspected fake degrees. According to a notification issued by the CAA, licenses will remain suspended till the inquiry against the pilots has not been completed. On the other hand, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Tuesday ordered its member states to bar Pakistani pilots from working. EASA has asked its member countries for details of Pakistani pilots. The letter sent to the member states by EASA stated that the CAA has revealed irregularities in the issuance of 40% of licences. Moreover, EASA in its letter recommended member states ‘not to schedule such pilots for operations performed under their TCO consideration’. The letter stated that this is a matter of concern in the aviation industry. It further stated that complaints have been received about fake licences in contravention of international rules and regulations. Earlier, United Arab Emirates (UAE) wrote a letter to Pakistani authorities for verification of licences of more than 50 pilots. According to the letter, UAE Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sent a letter to the CAA director general (DG) for verification of licences of more than 50 pilots and 4 flight operations officers. UAE seeks information of licensing credentials of pilots to make air travel and safe and secure. “Licences of aircraft engineers working in the UAE will also be verified,” it stated. The list of more than 50 pilots and four flight officers has been also sent to the Pakistani authorities. it is pertinent to mention here that all flights of the PIA have been suspended for six months. The suspension of flights will be applicable from July 1.