US bans Pakistan International Airlines flights after reports of 'dubious licenses'

United States has revoked permission for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to operate charter flights to US over alleged dubious licenses of pilots. US Department of Transportation reportedly cited concerns raised by Federal Aviation ministration (FAA) over Pakistani pilot certifications.

International Air Transport Association (IATA) h also flagged irregularities in licences at PIA, saying it represented a serious lapse in licensing and safety oversight by aviation regulator. European Union Aviation Safety ncy has alrey suspended PIA's authorisation to fly to member states for six months.

Inquiry into pilot licenses comes after Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) crash in Karachi which killed 97 people onboard. flight PK-303 from Lahore was about to land when it crashed at Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony in Malir, just a minute before its landing.

'Human error'

Citing a report, Aviation minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan told parliament on June 24 that crash occurred due to human error by pilot and air traffic control. Aviation Minister said that pilot and controller didn't follow standard rules. He ded that pilot and co-pilot were t focused, and were discussing coronavirus as y attempted to land Airbus A320.

minister asserted that plane was completely fit for flying and re was technical fault, contricting preliminary reports that engines h failed. team investigating dely incident analysed data and voice recorders to arrive at conclusion. minister also anunced decision of PIA manment to ground 150 pilots and for allegedly possessing ‘dubious licenses’.

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According to an earlier report from air traffic control, flight left Lahore airport at 1:05pm on May 22 and was scheduled to land at Jinnah International Aiport in Karachi at 2:30pm. At 2:30 pm, plane was 15 nautical miles from Karachi at Makli, flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet above ground inste of 7,000 feet, when air traffic control issued its first warning to pilot to lower plane's altitude.

Inste of lowering plane altitude, pilot responded by saying that he was satisfied. When only 10 nautical miles were left till Karachi Airport, plane was at an altitude of 7,000 feet inste of 3,000 feet. report stated that air traffic control issued a second warning to pilot to lower plane's altitude. However, pilot responded again by stating that he was satisfied and would handle situation, saying he was rey for landing.

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(Im: Twitter / @Offical_PIA)