With reference to media reports regarding imposition of restrictions on the use of UAEs airspace without upgrading to new Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS), the PIA's spokesman clarified that airline's flight operation to UAE is going on smoothly as all Boeing 777 and six A-320 of its fleet already have the new ACAS version installed.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, he said that UAE authorities had imposed these restrictions giving three days notice to PIA to upgrade its aircraft using their airspace to the new ACAS version, which is otherwise valid till January 1, 2016.
The spokesman said that PIA's following flights are scheduled from Pakistan's various cities to the UAE on Tuesday:
1- PK 217 Peshawar-Abu Dhabi
2- PK 203 Lahore-Abu Dhabi
3- PK 213 Karachi-Dubai
4- PK 263 Lahore-Abu Dhabi
5- PK 283 Peshawar-Dubai
6- PK 233 Islamabad-Dubai
The PIA has applied for waiver for A-310 and remaining A-320 aircraft till April 2016, the spokesman said.
Meanwhile, Chairman PIA has asked the concerned department to speed up efforts to upgrade the remaining aircraft to this version of ACAS.