KARACHI: The Kuwaiti Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has granted permission to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to resume its flight operations to/from Kuwait.
The permission has been given after revoking the authorization of one weekly frequency each of Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to/from Pakistan from October 01, 2021, by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA).
Earlier, the Kuwaiti authorities had imposed restriction on all Pakistan registered planes and pilots to fly into the emirate of Kuwait, while Kuwaiti carrier was flying freely into Pakistan.
The issue has been taken up by the PIA management, involving all government and diplomatic channels for creating a balance in the flying rights. Several requests from the national flag carrier have been declined by the KCAA to resume flight operations to/from Kuwait.
Kuwait, Jazeera Airways: PCAA decides to revoke one weekly frequency authorisation
The PCAA, which was earlier showing indifference to facilitate the PIA, revoked the authorization of one weekly frequency each of Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to/from Pakistan by October 01, 2021, after the intervention of Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan
The PCAA in its letter termed the non-approval of PIA flight operations to and from Kuwait as a violation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between our the two states and announced to initiate similar action for Kuwaiti designated airlines' flight operations to and from Pakistan by October 1, 2021.
Consequently, PIA spokesman confirmed that after the lapse of almost one year, PIA is now resuming its flight operations to Kuwait operating from Lahore initially, with two flights a week.
He said that CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik appreciated the efforts of the Minister for Aviation and the PCAA for adhering to the concerns of the national carrier and also acknowledged the efforts and support extended by the Foreign Office, Pakistan's Ambassador to Kuwait, and Kuwait's Ambassador to Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021