Pakistan Air Line Pilots Association (Palpa) has agreed that its pilots would perform duties beyond 10 hours limit as per PIAC-Palpa agreement to operate Hajj flights. A PALPA spokesman expressed the hope that the PIA management would also consider the request of its flying crew (cockpit & cabin) and revert its unilateral decision to reintroduce crew slip at Peshawar for Hajj flights.
He said that PIA operates several Peshawar-based flights from Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, Islamabad, and Chitral and even in war-stricken city Kabul despite regular security threats after the crew members were taken on board by the management as a mutual challenge.
Pilots and cabin crew based in other cities are seriously concerned over the security issues and expects the PIA management to avoid slips at Peshawar as dangerous security situation prevailed since June 2009 when the terrorists attacked the hotel where PIA flying crew was staying. PIA lost its pilot, Captain Mamsa in the incident while four airhostesses were injured.
The terrible incident had left psychological impact on the staff members particularly pilots expressing discomfort and resentment to stay in Peshawar - a concern which was repeatedly conveyed to the management. If the management does not change its crew slip plan, the performance of staff members particularly pilots could be seriously affected, which may lead to any untoward incident for which the management will be solely responsible, Palpa spokesman said.
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