Airline investigates ‘extra passengers in aisles’ claim
Pakistan International Airlines is investigating reports that seven extra passengers were allowed to stand in the aisles on a packed flight to Saudi Arabia.
Dawn newspaper claimed flight PK-743 from Karachi to Medina carried 416 passengers last week, seven more than its total seating capacity of 409.
The newspaper quotes flight captain Anwer Adil insisting that he was not told about the extra passengers until after take-off.
PIA spokesman Danyan Gilani said the matter is under investigation after the additional passengers were reportedly issued hand-written boarding passes.
However Gilani said the allegations are ‘exaggerated and baseless’.
"It is not possible for anyone to travel like that in an aircraft, regardless of the duration of the flight," he said.
"The matter pertaining to the travel of more passengers than the booked load … is under investigation and all concerned are being questioned.
"PIA is committed to ensure the safety of the passengers and cannot allow any incident to happen which compromises safety," he added.
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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