ISLAMABAD: After failing to resolve differences between the pilots and management of the national flag carrier, the Pakistan Airline Pilots Association (Palpa) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) decided to continue talks on Monday.

However, passengers continued to face delays as PIA’s flight operations remained disturbed on Sunday, with seven flights, both domestic and international, cancelled and one delayed.

PIA spokesperson Aamir Memon confirmed the delays and insisted there was no deadlock in the talks. The PIA management would participate in a second round of talks on Monday to resolve the issue, he said. Mr Memon also appeared optimistic about the prospects of flight operations returning to normal quite soon.

Take a look: 95 per cent of flight operation unhindered by pilot strike: PIA

Officials insist there is no deadlock; seven flights cancelled on Sunday

The cancelled flights were Karachi-Dubai, Karachi-Quetta-Panjgur-Islamabad, Islamabad-Panjgur-Karachi, Lahore-Karachi, Karachi-Islamabad, Quetta-Islamabad and Quetta-Karachi.

The PIA spokesperson said the chairman had apologised to passengers for the inconvenience.

Following a dispute between PIA pilots and the management, the regulatory authority swung into action and summoned the PIA management, Palpa representatives and other officials concerned to Islamabad to find a solution to the issue that has taken its toll on the flag carrier’s flight operations.

After the meeting, Palpa President Amir Hashmi told reporters that talks would continue on Monday and a status quo would be maintained until a final outcome.

He blamed the PIA management for not honouring the work agreement finalised with pilots in 2011-2013 and accused them of forcing the pilots to work long hours.

The talks between Palpa and CAA officials, which started in Islamabad on Sunday, lasted about four hours.

Published in Dawn, October 5th , 2015

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