Report on operational life of ATR aircraft sought from PIA, CAA
The Gilgit-Baltistan Supreme Appellate Court (SAC) has instructed
the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to
furnish a detailed report regarding the operational lifespan of ATR aircraft on
the Gilgit-Islamabad route.
Chief Justice Sardar Muhammad Shamim Khan, overseeing a suo moto
hearing concerning PIA's ATR flights in the region, mandated the submission of
information on the reasons behind technical malfunctions affecting these
flights.
PIA
administration blamed for two ATR accidents
Responding to concerns raised by the residents of
Gilgit-Baltistan, who asserted that the operational lifespan of PIA's ATR
planes had expired, thereby posing a significant risk due to frequent technical
issues causing delays at Gilgit Airport, Chief Justice Khan took proactive
measures. Instances were highlighted where the CAA had grounded ATR flights,
and two ATR aircraft had crashed in mountainous terrains, resulting in loss of
lives.
Chief Justice Shamim Khan initiated a suo moto notice in
September, prompting PIA's chief technical officer, chief commercial officer,
and CAA's controller (North) to appear before the court in compliance with the
directives. During the proceedings, PIA's chief technical officer informed the
court that ATR planes, acquired in 2006, are designed to complete 70 thousand
flight cycles, with only half of them fulfilled.
PIA’s
ATR plane makes emergency landing at Islamabad airport after fire warning
In response, Chief Justice Shamim Khan questioned, "Why,
then, are technical faults arising in ATR flights?" The CAA representative
informed the court that a feasibility report for a new airport in the
Sultanabad area of Gilgit had already been prepared. Expressing
dissatisfaction, Chief Justice Shamim Khan rejected the report and mandated a
new submission for the upcoming hearing.
Source: Dawn