On June 21, PIA Airbus 310 (AP-BGP) flight with call sign 283, departed from Peshawar for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. But as soon as it took off, a giant size rat with long tail suddenly emerged, and started quick marching up and down in the lower side wall grill above the passenger seats. This was nonetheless a horrible scene as well as threat to flight safety. The rodent with sharp teeth could have damaged sensitive electronic cables of the airplane.
The passengers expected the airplane would be turned back to nearest airport to get rid of the animal, or at next destination it would be taken care of. But to our surprise at Abu Dhabi, the airline staff decided to continue flight with the rat still in there. It was another setback when I heard from my relative that he saw a rat in his plane while travelling to Peshawar from Dubai on flight PK 284 on June 22. I would urge the operator and CAA to look into hygiene and flight safety standards in PIA, which have touched the lowest ebb. Also, I recommend empowering airline staff to take on the spot remedial actions for passengers’ comfort and safety.
A PIA WELL-WISHER
Rawalpindi
