KARACHI: Confusion surrounds the dispute between the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Shaheen Air International (SAI) regarding non-payment of dues by the SAI and partial suspension of its flight operations by the CAA.

The aviation regulator says that the SAI’s international flight operations, except to and from Saudi Arabia, have been suspended from Monday.

Meanwhile, the SAI said in a press release issued late on Monday evening that the Sindh High Court has suspended the CAA order.

Responding to Dawn queries, CAA spokesperson Pervez George said that the CAA has not suspended its services and facilities to Shaheen Air International for its domestic and Saudi Arabian sector flights.

He said that owing to non-payment of dues of over Rs1.5 billion, services and facilities to the airline’s international flights only, except Saudi Arabia, were suspended with effect from July 16, 2018.

He said that for the above suspension a prior notice had been served on the Shaheen Air and its announcements were also made through the media well before time to help passengers avoid any inconvenience.

The CAA has not yet received any haj flight schedule from the SAI, the CAA spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, responding to Dawn queries SAI representative Zoheb Hassan said that the Sindh High Court has suspended the operation of CAA’s July 13 letter to the SAI where by the CAA threatened to withdraw its services for international flights, except to Saudi Arabia and that the SAI operations were continuing as normal.

He said that the SAI had challenged the CAA letter which was issued in patent breach of CAA’s own laws particularly Rule 373 of the CAA Rules 1994.

He also accused the CAA of discriminatory treatment towards the SAI and said that action had been taken SAI though its arrears were just around 2 per cent of the other local carrier (big defaulter).

He also dismissed market rumours of severe financial difficulties engulfing SAI, saying the airline has “just received six aircraft from Jordanian Airlines” and is current on all payments to all creditors.

“Only CAA and some FBR payments are in dispute,” he told Dawn while rubbishing market rumours that the airline may be searching for a buyer. “Why would anyone sell a profitable business?”

Published in Dawn, July 17th , 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...