The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday granted permission to Shaheen Air International to operate flights from Saudi Arabia as part of its Hajj operation. Shaheen Air spokesperson said permission letter from CAA received to bring back stranded pilgrims from Madian airport and a flight in that regard left for Saudi Arabia, he added.
A day earlier, 350 pilgrims were stranded at Madina airport as CAA refused to extend the airline's regular public transport licence. The CAA in a statement on Friday asked the airline to instead arrange flights of alternative airlines for the return of pilgrims.
The Aviation Authority said the public transport licence which was renewed every three months expired on August 30. "There is no aircraft available on the airline's inventory," it added. CAA also said the airline had outstanding dues of Rs1.4 billion and legal action was being taken against it. Further, the authority advised passengers to remain cautious in their dealings with the airline.
Following this, a Shaheen Air spokesperson said they had to cancel a scheduled flight to bring back Hajj pilgrims. CAA had ensured earlier that no hurdle would come in bringing back pilgrims, the spokesperson added. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted permission to Shaheen Airline to operate Hajj flights from Saudi Arabia, for returning pilgrims. Spokesperson said that permission has been grated on humanitarian basis.
According to spokesperson, Shaheen Airline's licence has been extended for Hajj operations. SAI has been permitted to operate flights from Saudi Arabia as part of its Hajj operation. The spokesperson said that 350 Pakistan pilgrims were stranded at Madina airport for 24 hours, due to which CAA granted permission on humanitarian basis.