Pakistan International Airline (PIA) is likely to operate direct flights to New York and Washington DC for repatriating stranded Pakistanis from United States.
The assurance to approach the State Department and Department of Transportation to seek permission for PIA to operate direct special flights to New York and Washington DC for repatriating stranded Pakistanis was given by Embassy of United States of America.
The development was made after couple of letters sent by CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik during last 10 days to the US Ambassador Paul Jones, seeking go-ahead to airlift stranded Pakistanis from US.
CEO PIA in his letters informed that the airline was in touch with concerned US departments to resume routine operations for US and for the purpose, the national flag carrier was still maintaining its staff in New York.
Moreover, he said that although PIA was actively pursuing approvals for scheduled operations to USA, the recent COVID-19 crisis created a situation, which necessitated conduct of urgent air service to repatriate stranded citizens from both the countries.
Therefore, the airline holds a valid Economic Authority (Foreign Air Carrier Permit) and has submitted its application to US DOT for fresh Security Authority through its legal representatives on February 07, 2020.
In addition, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Assessment of Islamabad International Airport has been carried out in March 2020. During preliminary debrief at Cabinet division and Foreign office,(GoP), US TSA Assessment expressed its satisfaction & appreciated professionalism of PIA, he apprised in his letter.
CEO PIA also offered to airlift stranded citizens on non-revenue basis where tickets shall not be sold besides all security and safety protocols shall be adhered-with strictly.
In response to his letters, the US mission has informed the PIA that the State Department and Department of Transportation may be approached to seek permission for PIA to operate special entity charter flights from the US to bring back the stranded Pakistanis. For the purpose, modalities to operate these special flights may be evolved in consultation with airline's legal counsel, the US mission stated.
Talking to Business Recorder, PIA spokesman termed this development as major breakthrough, saying that after TSA satisfaction, the national flag carrier had approached concerned US authorities, seeking permission for direct flights operations for New York and Washington DC.
"Now, for the first time PIA is likely to operate direct flights to US, which shows satisfaction of US authorities on country's security situation," he said.
Replying to a question, he said that in past PIA used to operate flights to US via Manchester UK, which never gave economical viability to the airline but direct flights would be lucrative for PIA.
"Around 10000 stranded passengers, willing to return Pakistan and similarly around 4 to 5 thousands are keen to fly back to US," PIA spokesman informed.
"Yes, it would be special flights operations but we are hopeful that it would assist us to have permission for direct operations for our routine flights," adding that US was always lucrative sector for all commercial airliners. Talking about the number of flights PIA could operate, he said: "It all depends on passengers load but PIA can operate four direct flights in a week.
Comments
Comments are closed.