Fine imposed on Turkish Airlines for violating SOPs

Published October 23, 2020
The government has imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on Turkish Airlines for violating standard operating procedures for prevention of Covid-19 on its flight. — Reuters/File
The government has imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on Turkish Airlines for violating standard operating procedures for prevention of Covid-19 on its flight. — Reuters/File

RAWALPINDI: The government has imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on Turkish Airlines for violating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for prevention of Covid-19 on its flight.

The airline has also been asked to bear the traveling expenses for transporting the passenger to Lahore along with the cost of testing and quarantine.

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has directed Turkish airlines to submit a compliance report to CAA Karachi within one week after issuance of the letter. This is the second case of SOPs violation by an international airline while transporting passengers to Pakistan.

All airline operators, engaged in operation to and from Pakistan, have been advised to ensure strict compliance with the government’s directives, which state that travelers from Category-B countries shall be required to provide proof of negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test conducted not more than 96 hours prior to the commencement of travel, failing which the airline shall not issue the boarding pass.

It has been noted with serious concern that Turkish Airlines transported passenger, Mohammad Ishfaq, from a Category-B country Mali to Istanbul for onward journey to Lahore on Oct 15 without proof of a negative RT-PCR test despite a warning issued by the CAA on Oct 13 to refrain from transport of such passengers, a statement issued by CAA read.

The Pakistani passenger has been left stranded at Istanbul airport since Oct 15, without any intimation to CAA, it added.

Pakistan’s ambassador in Turkey brought the matter to the authority’s attention following which, it imposed a penalty on Turkish Airlines; the airline has been directed to submit the amount in CAA’s collection account in Karachi.

The passenger shall be transported to Lahore while being seated in the last vacant row of the aircraft and will not be allowed to interact with other passengers during the flight, the letter stated.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2020

Opinion

Editorial

Afghan turbulence
Updated 19 Mar, 2024

Afghan turbulence

RELATIONS between the newly formed government and Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban rulers have begun on an...
In disarray
19 Mar, 2024

In disarray

IT is clear that there is some bad blood within the PTI’s ranks. Ever since the PTI lost a key battle over ...
Festering wound
19 Mar, 2024

Festering wound

PROTESTS unfolded once more in Gwadar, this time against the alleged enforced disappearances of two young men, who...
Defining extremism
Updated 18 Mar, 2024

Defining extremism

Redefining extremism may well be the first step to clamping down on advocacy for Palestine.
Climate in focus
18 Mar, 2024

Climate in focus

IN a welcome order by the Supreme Court, the new government has been tasked with providing a report on actions taken...
Growing rabies concern
18 Mar, 2024

Growing rabies concern

DOG-BITE is an old problem in Pakistan. Amid a surfeit of public health challenges, rabies now seems poised to ...