CAA allows Shaheen Air to operate Hajj flights

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday allowed Shaheen Air International (SAI) to operate Hajj flights from Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, 350 pilgrims had been stranded at Madina Airport because the CAA had refused to extend SAI’s regular public transport licence.

The aviation authority said, “There is no aircraft available on the airline’s inventory.”

Moreover, SAI allegedly has outstanding dues worth Rs1.4 billion, according to the CAA.

Earlier on August 27, the CAA had urged the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action against the owners of the airline  — which has allegedly committed a fraud of over Rs1.3 billion — over fears that they may escape the country.

According to sources, SAI owners, the Sehbai brothers, have committed tax fraud as they collected it from its passengers on behalf of the CAA and pocketed the money for the last several months.

The sources said that a complaint had been sent to the FIA Karachi Zone director by CAA Director (air transport and economic regulation) Syed Muzaffar Alam against the chairman, chief executive officer (CEO) and management of the airline for “illegally holding the authority’s Rs1.368bn.”