PIA restricts cabin crew to one cigarette pack during flying duty

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management has placed a fresh restriction on the number of cigarets that cabin crew members can carry while performing flight duties, warning of disciplinary action against those violating the regulation.

A circular published by PIA management says that a cabin crew member would be allowed to carry only one packet with up to 20 cigarets when travelling on flying duty.

The circular says that action would be taken against any cabin staff member seen carrying more than one packet or 20 cigarets during the assignment.

PIA’s management has cautioned that offenders may be suspended or taken off flying duties based on circumstances and the disciplinary procedures in place.

The airline also ordered cabin crew to be briefed on the new guideline before departure. The Management has directed the concerned authorities to strictly adhere to the directive.

The new ban came following an incident involving a PIA flight from Multan to Jeddah, sources said. The reports stated that during the aircraft operation, five cabin workers were caught with a big number of cigaret packages.

Sources claimed the issue has been brought to the PIA Human Resources department where a probe against the five crew members is apparently underway.

The revised guideline seems to set a particular limit on the number of cigarets carried by cabin crew while on flying duty and aims to curb the unapproved carrying of bigger numbers.

The airline’s cabin crew are subject to a variety of corporate rules and regulations regarding aviation . International flights may also be subject to customs rules for items transported across borders .

PIA management has thus, asked its working staff to observe the recently issued directive and not to carry quantity beyond the permitted limit.

The requirement has also been conveyed through pre-flight briefings to ensure that cabin crew members are aware of the restriction before commencing their duty.

The airline took the decision after the probe into the alleged event in Multan, with the HR probe likely to determine the facts of the cigaret packets that the five crew members were allegedly carrying.

The claims against these persons are part of the internal investigation process until the inquiry is completed.

The new instruction pertains to cigarets carried by cabin staff on flying duty. The circular states the allowable quantity as one packet or 20 cigarets.

PIA management has asked its relevant departments to guarantee compliance of the order and reminded the workers that breach of the order can lead to disciplinary repercussions including suspension or removal from flying responsibilities.