KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has taken disciplinary action against flight attendant Samera Aftab after authorities recovered a mobile phone and smartwatches from her belongings. Aftab, who arrived in Karachi on flight PK-784 from Toronto a few days ago, is now suspended pending further inquiry.
The airline’s vigilance team submitted a detailed incident report to PIA’s human resources department, prompting an internal investigation into the matter. PIA officials stated that the suspension is part of standard procedure while they examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Meanwhile, PIA has recently reclaimed 14 flight slots at London’s Heathrow Airport, which had previously been allocated to foreign carriers due to restrictions on the airline’s UK operations. The reacquisition of these slots is expected to boost PIA’s flight frequency between Pakistan and London during the upcoming winter schedule starting in October.
Sources indicate that weekly flights from Islamabad to London could increase from three to five, while Lahore-London services may rise from one to two flights per week. The restored slots are also expected to enhance connectivity options from Karachi and Sialkot to London via connecting services.
This development marks a significant step for PIA, potentially expanding its operational capacity in the UK market and improving overall connectivity between Pakistan and Britain. In 2022, PIA had temporarily allocated seven landing slots at Heathrow—six to Turkish Airlines and one to Kuwait Airways—after restrictions on its UK flights were imposed due to regulatory issues. The airline’s ongoing negotiations with foreign carriers aim to restore its presence at London’s busiest airport and strengthen bilateral air links.
