Oct 06 , 2015
News
Passengers suffer as Palpa strike continues on sixth consecutive day
KARACHI: Passengers are set to suffer more after more than 70 flights, including 30 international, have been cancelled as standoff between the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and pilots continued on sixth consecutive day.
The government on Monday rejected most of the demands put forward by the airline’s pilots association to end the standoff on pay and other working conditions after two days of failed talks.
PIA has suffered a loss of Rs500 million so far due to the standoff.
A spokesman for the Aviation Division termed Palpa’s demands as “unjustified” and “not acceptable to PIA management”.
PIA officials have said national airline will take all necessary measures to end the shortage of pilots.
Sources said, keeping in mind the current situation, Aviation Division has prepared an alternative plan to promote junior pilots, getting services of Pakistan Air Force and foreign airlines pilots.
“President Palpa...was called on by the Aviation Division on Monday and was informed that demands put forward by Palpa in their yesterday’s (Sunday) meeting (were) tantamount to challenging the writ of PIA management, hence not acceptable,” Sher Ali Khan, spokesman for the Aviation Division, said in a statement.
The pilots’ body, in a separate statement, asked the prime minister to intervene in the standoff. “We request the honourable prime minister to take notice of the situation and hear us out as the egos of those involved in discussion with us seem bigger than the national airline and national interest which is deteriorating the situation further,” said Capt Amir Hashmi, president of Palpa, in the statement.
The government rejected Palpa’s demands, including immediate replacement of the director of flight operations, withdrawal of all show-cause notices, inquiries/investigations and legal notices issued to pilots on disciplinary grounds and reinstatement of all grounded pilots and fixation of seniority of pilots “as per the wishes of Palpa”.
The aviation authority asked the pilots’ body to immediately resume the flight operation without any precondition. “However, the PIA management is willing to sit with Palpa representatives and listen to their legitimate demands,” the statement said.
After the second round of failed talks, the airline’s pilots body will hold a meeting on Tuesday (today) to decide its next move.
Courtesy www.thenews.com.pk