AP-BMG & AP-BMH: PIA admits technical faults in newly- inducted aircraft

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is found operating newly inducted Boeing 777-200ER AP-BMG and AP-BMH with technical faults; it was learnt. According to details, the Flight Operation Department (FOD) in its instructions admitted that newly inducted Boeing 777-200ER AP-BMG and AP-BMH were facing an intermittent technical problem of auto-start in its engine.
Subsequently, the instructions advised the crew to carry out auto-start and in case of auto-start failure they must revert to manual start. "The engineering is mitigating the said technical fault and crew will be informed in case of fixing the same." Moreover, it said that the crew was also experiencing issues on international travelling due to the unnecessary delay by NADRA to renew their Crew Member Certificates (CMCs). The FOD further disclosed that NADRA was taking more than usual time to renew CMC of the cockpit crew of the airline.
"It is reiterated that the validity of personal documents is the responsibility of the crew. It has been noticed through our records that crewmember certificate of most of the cockpit crew is close to expiry/expired," stated the notification. However, the instructions added that it was not mandatory to carry it while operating a flight if the same was in the process of renewal. "NADRA is processing to renew CMCs but due to work load, it is taking longer time than normal," it stated.
Due to this inefficiency of NADRA for not prioritising this important issue, the pilots have been advised to go for a hectic procedure by the management. "All cockpit crew are advised to apply for CMC well before its expiry and carry the photocopy of CMC duly stamped by passport section while submitting their documents," it said. The FOD further stated that the management advised the pilots to submit following documents in passport section for renewal: CMC application form duly signed; photocopies of passport, CNIC, PIA's ID card; two photocopies of CMC; and two photographs (white background) in uniform without cap and coat.
When contacted, PIA spokesman said the auto-tart failure in newly inducted Boeing 777-200ER AP-BMG and AP-BMH was normal procedure. He further stated that renewal of CNIC was the responsibility of crew and PIA management had nothing to do with it.