Karachi (August 31, 2018): Shaheen Air International has suspended post-Hajj operations as the issue between the airline and Civil Aviation Authority deteriorated further.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has refused to extend the Regular Public Transport (RPT) License of Shaheen Air International (SAI) over nonpayment of about Rs 1.4 billion arrears.
In this connection, a meeting was held on Friday between the SAI and CAA management whereby the airline requested the regulatory authority to extend its RPT License. Due to the non-payment of dues, the CAA refused to extend the license.
Zohaib Hassan, Director Marketing, SAI stated after the meeting “RPT license is automatically extended every quarter. However during the meeting today between our management and CAA, the regulator refused to extend the license thereby risking the journey of the Hujjaj that were supposed to fly with us”.
He further added “CAA had assured us that no action would be taken during the post Hajj operation to ensure smooth management of the journey of the Hujjaj who will be coming back to their homeland after performing the blessed pilgrimage. The honorable court had also ordered the same. CAA has again violated the honorable court orders”.
Shaheen Air International spokesperson said that they had to cancel its scheduled flight to bring back Haj pilgrims.
Shaheen Air had four A330 and two A320 planes registered on CAA rule book which were pre-requisites for international operation as per CAA. The suspension of license has halted the post Hajj operation of the airline.
On the other hand, CAA spokesperson said SAI’s licence has been expired on August 30 2018 while the authority has decided not to extend the license because the SAI does not have any airplanes available on its inventory.
He further said SAI is deafulter of Rs 1.4 billion of CAA while the legal action against the airlines has been initiating by the authority.
On the matter of post Hajj operations of SAI, the spokesperson said the CAA has asked the airlines to arrange alternate air resources for its customers to bring them back to the country.
He added that SAI has been failed to do its functions while in this regard public, air travelers and shippers are advised to avoid any dealing with the airlines adding that affectees of SAI are also advised to proceed legal action against the airlines for their damages.
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