Airlines

Air India Cabin Crew Caught Smuggling 1.4 Kg of Gold Wrapped Around His Hand

At Kochi airport, a member of the Air India cabin crew was allegedly caught “gold-handed” attempting to smuggle about 1,500 grams of gold. Shafi, a Wayanad native, was detained after it was discovered that he had 1,487 grams of gold wrapped around his hands. According to ANI, he utilized the sleeves of his shirt as a cover to enter through the green channel.

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Kochi | Air India cabin crew Shafi, a native of Wayanad, was arrested at Kochi Airport for smuggling 1,487 gms of gold. The cabin crew was of Bahrain-Kozhikode-Kochi service. Further interrogation underway: Customs Preventive Commissionerate pic.twitter.com/1nxVzF2fA7

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2023

Shafi, a cabin crew member on the Bahrain-Kozhikode-Kochi Air India Express flight, was allegedly trying to smuggle gold into the nation, according to confidential information that the Customs Preventive Commissionerate had received.

Furthermore, officials stated that Shafi is being interrogated by customs officers while more investigation is being conducted.

A member of the crew of Air India Express aircraft IX 474 has been detained following a smuggling incident, according to a statement from Air India. The aforementioned person has been suspended with immediate effect. After receipt of the investigation report from the investigating authorities, Air India Express would take severe action against the offender, including termination of service.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.