Pakistan Air Lines Pilot Association (PALPA) President, Capt Rizwan Gondal, on Tuesday, strongly deplored the irresponsible and unfair accusation of intoxication levelled by the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Management on its respectable pilot, Capt Pir Omar Khayyam, who has now been cleared by the Civil Aviation Authority.In a statement issued, Capt Gondal noted that the blood and urine test reports of Capt Khayyam operating PK 791 (Islamabad to Birmingham) on March 21 had come negative for alcohol and other psychoactive substances.
Highlighting the report of a preliminary test in media without for the results of subsequent tests was said to have caused agony to the pilot and his family; unfairly tainting his reputation.
PALPA President noted that the aviation industry had itself set standards to ensure that no pilot under the influence of alcohol was permitted to fly an aircraft. This was done to assure the safety of the passengers.
However, to ascertain this, he added, the pilot or crew member had to undergo a series of tests, starting from a breath test, which if found positive should be followed by blood and urine tests on the spot. This was mandated as there had been instances when persons have been tested falsely positive.
In this case, PCAA letter states: “Foregoing in view, it is revealed that Breath analyzer Reports tested False Positive (an anomaly) on both occasions hence causing inconvenience and annoyance for all concerned. However, along Breath Analyzer Report tested Positive for Alcohol is never regarded as Final. Moreover, even if Breath Analyzer for Alcohol is tested Positive/False Positive, a complete protocol of Blood and Urine Tests for Alcohol and other Psychoactive Substances have to be followed in order to ensure Flight Safety.”
He was also of the view that hundreds of unreported professionalism incidents were witnessed on a frequent basis; recognising the acumen of PIA pilots.
PIA airmen were said to have averted various disastrous situations, which were acknowledged in the global aviation industry for taking its name to new heights.
He regretted that unfortunately, PIA spokesperson had failed to handle the situation professionally, causing irreparable damage to the repute of the National Flag Carrier. This had caused mental agony to a pilot, who had given 28 years of unblemished service to the PIA, he added. This mishandling had led to damage to the prestige of the entire community of pilots and PIA itself.
PALPA chief claimed that the recent episode revealed utter bias and a lack of professionalism.
Misleading information was spread about its pilots while not realising that PIA”s credibility was being blown and loyal passengers were scared to other airlines, he added.