130 PIA pilots grounded as CAA blocks their licences

At least 130 PIA pilots were grounded after the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) blocked their licences, reported 24NewHD TV channel on Tuesday.

Aircraft Owner and Operators Association expressed concern over the new law – Aviation Act 2023 – claiming handing over power of issuing licences to DG Civil Aviation Authority from Director CAA was “wrong act”.

They claimed that amid new legislation licences of more than 130 pilots could not be issued by CAA. As a result, these pilots failed to continue their flying job.

Aircraft Owner and Operators Association appealed Federal Aviation Minister to take notice of the issue as the PIA was already facing severe shortage of pilots. The association demanded that the government must introduce amendments to the new law.

Reporter Saeed Ahmed Saeed