Aerospace

60 Pilots, 150 Cabin Crew Members Suspended By DGCA For Failing Alcohol Test

In the past two and a half years, up to 60 pilots and 150 members of the cabin crew have tested positive after undergoing breathalyzer (BA) testing.

In the past two and a half years, up to 60 pilots and 150 members of the cabin crew have tested positive after undergoing breathalyzer (BA) testing. To ensure that the use of alcohol by pilots and other cabin crew members has not jeopardised aviation safety, breathalyzer tests are carried out. Not a single licence has been cancelled between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2022, in accordance with the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section-5, Series-F, Part-III clause.

However, following the test, 210 pilots and crew members have been placed on suspension. Monday in Parliament, the government claimed that a formal process for reviewing safety is in place to check on the airlines’ compliance to the laws and requirements of civil aviation. During the next audit and surveillance, the operator’s actions are checked to see if they are in compliance. The DGCA imposes enforcement measures, including monetary penalties, in the event that any infractions of the regulations are found during the audit and surveillance process.

The DGCA had stated that airlines must make sure that daily preflight alcohol tests are administered to 50% of their cockpit and cabin crew members. The DCGA’s recommendation states that even 12 hours after a drinking session, if blood alcohol levels are still zero, there is a potential that performance will suffer. The advice warned that even trace amounts of alcohol jeopardise flight safety on multiple counts and are likely to adversely influence an aviator well into the hangover period.

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.