Lahore: Three Indian nationals, employees of Qatar Airways, were denied permission by FIA Immigration officials to stay at a local hotel after their flight’s transit stop at Lahore was extended due to poor visibility caused by foggy weather.
Under the IATA rules and practice of the aviation industry, it is a normal procedure that in case of an extended delay at a transit spot where the flight / cabin crew need to be moved to a hospitable facility till the flight can resume its course, the airline requests the immigration department to issue a letter of permission which is in a way considered a short-term visa.
This situation is mostly avoided at the majority of major airports which have hotels and other facilities built within their premises. The Allama Iqbal International Airport, however, does not have such an arrangement; therefore, the flight / cabin crew stay at hotels outside the airport premises in these circumstances.
It is not the first time that the crew of a flight has had to stay at a facility outside the airport in Lahore and there have been innumerable incidents where the relevant authority provides permission to the airline after necessary paperwork.
However, these three unfortunate pilots were held back at the airport contrary to the common practice.When inquired, the relevant officials could not give any specific justification apart form the explanation that they were Indian nationals and this case required extra caution.
One co-pilot Shah Pooja Kant and two member of the crew - Mehtal Rahul and Galarani Tina - were the three members stuck at the airport till the filing of this report at 12 am local time.
Read News In Full 01/02/14 The News
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