CAA warns Shaheen Air of closure over incomplete documents

KARACHI: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) of Pakistan has warned Shaheen Air International (SAI), the country’s largest private career, to complete their documents for license within 45 days or else their operations would be suspended.

A CAA release on Monday said the documents provided by the career for the issuance of Regular Public Transport (RPT) License were incomplete.  The CAA further said the airline also violated rules by issuing tickets on a new route without approval. Further, the airline has been a defaulter for the past many months, the release said.

An official of the CAA said the airline was collecting charges, but instead of making payments, it was blaming the authority. The SAI in response to the notice issued by the CAA held an emergent press conference on the issue. Faisal Rafique, chief commercial officer (CCO), SAI, blamed the aviation authority for the airline’s financial crisis and delay in the issuance of license.

“The RTP License for four years was put on hold, while the airline was only given interim approval for 15-30 days,” Rafique said, and added the airline had been asked to fulfil documentations and requirements that were not even part of the procedure, but SAI had completed all requests in due time.

The CCO said the delay by the CAA was deliberate and could be gauged from the fact that SAI’s inaugural flight from Multan to Muscat, which was expected to depart on April 23, was barred from operation due to “undisclosed reasons”.

Rafique said the airline requested the aviation authority on April 5 for the new route, but it was put on hold without assigning any reason on the letter.

SAI COO said similar hurdles were created on other routes to Manchester and Kuala Lumpur. The airline was denied to operate the inaugural flight for Manchester on the grounds of “not performing the proving flight”. (A proving flight is when an airline receives a new aircraft that is not on its certificate and it has to demonstrate its capability in terms of operating the new addition).

SAI maintains that they are the only local airline to perform a proving flight for the authorities. “The CAA refused to operate the inaugural flight from Manchester,” he added.

The COO of SAI said that due to the harsh policies of the CAA, the airline had been facing a tough time for the last four years, as well as financial losses. He said the airline had paid all the dues in-time. “However, for the last three weeks, due to the CAA’s wrong attitude, the airline is facing cash flow problems,” he added.

A statement issued by the SAI also said the CAA put their aircrafts on hold for 15-30 days for inspections, not only hurting revenues, but creating additional expenses in the shape of parking charges and other fees. “Moreover, aircrafts are denied access to air bridges, while electricity supply is suspended to check-in counters at the airport,” the statement added.

The statement mentions that the airline does own dues to the CAA, but it is normal aviation practice around the globe. As per CAA Payment Plan and Letter, SAI’s payments are cleared up to date, while the current relaxation in payment plan was requested due to the suspension of Manchester and Kuala Lumpur operations, the statement added.