A PIA spokesman here on Monday strongly denied a news story appearing in a section of the media that 'a hotel in UK has denied accommoddation to PIA on any pretext. A statement by the spokesman of the national flag carrier said that the story has been issued to malign PIA. He pointed out that the airline has contracts with leading hotels in UK and it continues to acquire services of these fine hotels.
"The story is totally baseless," the spokesman said and added that PIA clarifies the news story for the information of readers. "PIA has hotel service agreement with a fine hotel in Birmingham since September 2017 and continues to use their services to the satisfaction of both parties. However, PIA had a temporary arrangement with another hotel in Birmingham for three months prior to September 2017. The airline has hotel arrangements with very fine renowned hotels in UK and around the world," said the spokesman.
The fact is that on the closure of a hotel which PIA was utilizing before June 2017 had to close their operations in Birmingham so PIA had to look for another hotel for stay of its cabin crew. However, to accommodate our cabin crew, PIA acquired services of a hotel for only three months (June to August) before going for a formal agreement with new renowned hotel as per Airline requirements and to date, PIA is continuing the services of this fine hotel on long term basis, the spokesman further said.
It is also very interesting to note that in case PIA had a bad experience as stated in the news; how come a better hotel signed an agreement with PIA is point to ponder? the PIA spokesman in the statement pointed out. PIA spokesman said that there was no issue of leaving any hotel upon its refusal as portrayed in news and especially in social media.
As far as the issue of misbehavior of male crew is concerned in the story, the same is also baseless. No PIA cabin crew is involved in any such practices and to correct the facts again for the valued readers; a thorough inquiry was carried out by PIA which declared the cabin crew not guilty. The airline has hotel arrangements with very fine renowned hotels not only in UK but around the world and continues to utilize their services; it was further pointed out.