Pakistan takes action against pilots under Civil Aviation Rules, 1994
The federal government has revoked the licenses of 50 pilots
and suspended those of another 33 following allegations involving fake pilot
licenses, according to Geo News.
The action was taken under the Civil Aviation Rules, 1994, the Ministry of
Defence said in a written response submitted during Friday’s Question Hour.
The ministry also disclosed that international flight restrictions imposed
on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) by the United Kingdom, European Union
and United States over allegations of irregularities in pilot licensing
resulted in an estimated revenue loss of Rs. 200 billion between August 2020
and December 2024.
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favoring foreign pilots as more than 130 Pakistani pilots sidelined
The restrictions also led to PIA losing access to the UK market, which the
ministry described as the airline’s most profitable international market.
According to the ministry’s response, several international carriers
benefited from PIA’s absence from the UK market. These included Emirates, Qatar
Airways, Etihad Airways, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
The government has also constituted a cabinet committee, headed by the
defence minister, to examine the matter and review the issues surrounding pilot
licensing and the resulting impact on the national airline.
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civil aviation authority to train and export pilots for global airlines
The measures come amid continued efforts to address concerns over aviation
safety and regulatory compliance and to restore confidence in Pakistan’s
aviation sector.
Source: Pro Pakistani