The current developments as a result of the EU proposed action against PIA's flights to the EU would understandably be of concern to Pakistanis in general and its customers in particular. Accordingly, PIA wishes to share with them the complete and full factual position in this context so that they have a better appreciation of PIA's position in the matter.
In an emergency meeting convened at PIA's request at the EU Air Transport Headquarters Brussels on 2nd March, 2007, PIA's team being personally led by its Chairman & CEO, accompanied by Pakistan's ambassador in Brussels, the Deputy DC CAA and PIA's legal Advisors held extensive discussions lasting over three hours. In the course of which a detailed presentation was made by the Chairman, who explained the several additional measures that PIA had embarked upon, (even before the EU saga began), to make PIA more focused on safety, customer needs, reliability and vision for the future. This includes fleet modernisation, spinning off non-core businesses (such as hotels) and formation of joint ventures with internationally reputable companies for ramp handling, flight kitchen, maintenance, repair, overhaul and engineering (MRQ), (the latter being in process of finalisation), to name a few.
In this meeting, the EU's ASC top representatives duly appreciated the efforts of PIA in this context and were at pains to emphasise that PIA's operations in EIJ countries are not banned, but only operating restrictions are being temporarily applied. These are aircraft specific (B-747s and A-310s only), to enable PIA to carry out certain further measures. This vindicates PIA's flight standards and allied processes, which facilitate the continued operations of all of its state of the art B777s aircraft, maintained and operated by PIA. Indeed, the Chairman pointed out at the meeting that as the facts will show, PIA had a better safety record than even certain major European Airlines and considered this action of EU discriminatory against PIA.
PIA gives top priority to air safety and conforms to the requisite maintenance practices and standards for its fleet. This is borne out by its safety record during its over 50 years history. PIA also continues to maintain and service the aircraft of other international operators in different parts of the world including the EU.
PIA's aircraft are certified for airworthiness by CAA Pakistan, which under Article 33 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention of 1944) shall be recognised as valid. The other Contracting States provided that the requirements under which such Certificates or licences are issued or rendered valid are equal to or above the minimum standards which may be established from time to time, pursuant to the Chicago Convention. PIA not only fulfils that, hut is subject to CAA's oversight, which itself complies with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and was cleared by ICAO during the last Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (IUSOAP).
PIA's Maintenance and Engineering Department is certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). HA is also currently registered by IATA through its' Operational Safety Audit (IOSA), being amongst the 63 Airlines out of 300 Airlines to have achieved this distinction. Major NA Departments also have ISO 9000 Certification. In this background, PIA's aircraft are eligible to fly and indeed fly to most parts of the world without any let or hindrance whatsoever.
The European Union (EU) have only a year back (December 2005) introduced certain more stringent air safety criteria for aircraft using airspace of its member countries and have already blacklisted over 100 Airlines operators by imposing ban on their operations in the EU countries. EU' s said Regulations in this context (air safety), are still evolving and its procedures and precedents for evaluating airlines are not widely known, with resultant potential for miscommunications and misperceptions, which has substantially contributed to PIA's current situation.
In the last quarter of 2006, EU raised issues regarding PIA's certain aircraft, in which respect PIA fully co-operated with EU's Air Safety Committee (EU'S ASC) and established an Action Plan with clear milestones duly endorsed by CAA and accepted by EU's ASC. PIA made presentations before EU's ASC in October and November 2006 and February 2007, during which EU's ASC duly acknowledged the significant further measures that PIA had taken to comply with EU's more stringent air safety criteria.
Accordingly, the EU action to place restrictions on PIA's certain aircraft, first reported through the media, came as a total surprise and was clearly not in keeping with the recognised progress that PIA had made to meet EU' s air safety criteria.
PIA strongly disagrees with EU's proposed action and on the given facts does not consider it to be justifiable in its application on HA. However, recognising the sovereignty of the EU to determine its' Regulations for compliance by Airline operators in its member countries, PIA without prejudice to its rights, agreed to seek an amicable resolution of the matter,
At the end of the aforesaid meeting, PIA reiterated its commitment and resolve to adhere to the highest flight safety standards and shared with EU's ASC officials PIA's determination to work with them for restoration of full operations in the EU countries in the shortest possible time, in which respect they have been assured of EU's ASC co-operation.
Meanwhile, PIA has already undertaken measures to mitigate the effect of this operation, restriction in the EU countries and assures its customers that it will endeavour to minimise any dislocation and resultant inconvenience that may be caused to them and further assures them that it would continue to provide them safe and reliable air travel.-PR
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