Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management on Monday rejected demands put forward by the Pakistan Airlines Pilot Association (PALPA) to end their gruelling strike.
“The three demands by PALPA are unacceptable,” a PIA spokesperson said. The demands include the immediate replacement of director flight operations, withdrawal of show-cause notices and inquiries against pilots (while reinstating all grounded pilots), and for seniority to be determined by the pilots.
PIA management said PALPA president refused to budge from the demands. “This inflexible stance will result in unnecessary losses to the national flag carrier and its customers,” the spokesperson said.
The powerful body of 430 PIA pilots – PALPA– had resorted to what can be technically called a ‘go-slow’ policy to press their demands. This was at a time when the state-owned carrier is conducting crucial post-hajj operations of bringing back pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, besides running its regular operations.
This would also lead to more losses to the ailing state-owned carrier. The government claims it had just started recovery after induction of new aircraft in its fleet.
Earlier on Saturday, aviation authorities waited the whole day on Saturday for a meeting with representatives of pilots associated with the national flag carrier – but it did not happen. The Aviation Division blamed PALPA for the deadlock in talks as the gruelling strike lingers on.
In latest developments, a local new outlet reported that government had decided to hand over investigation of the dispute with PALPA to FIA.
Private operators increase airfares, PM orders enquiry:
Meanwhile, private airlines may be taking advantage of the dispute at the national airlines as reports emerged of their sudden and unexplained increase in airfares.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took serious notice of the increase in airfares of private airlines which has caused inconvenience and discomfort to travellers.
According to a PM House statement, the prime minister expressed his anger over the unauthorised increase that also caused extreme hardship for the passengers. He instructed the departments concerned to carry out an enquiry and if the increase was found to be unauthorised, rescind it within 48 hours.
