Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) imposed a fine worth Rs0.1m on Turkish Airlines, a category B listed airline, on the violation of COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Thursday.

The PCAA letter reads: “It has been noted with serious concern that Turkish Airlines transported passenger name Mr Muhammad Ishfaq, from Category B country i.e Bamako, Mali to Istanbul for onward journey to Lahore via Turkish Airline flight on October 15, 2020 without proof of negative RT-PCR test despite a warning issued by this Office vide our letter of even number dated October 13, 2020 to refrain from transport of such passengers.”

https://www.facebook.com/1545150422365407/videos/381745882980074

The PCAA imposed Rs100,000 fine on Turkish Airlines and directed the airline to bear all costs of the quarantine and testing of the passenger.

The PCAA made it clear to Turkish Airlines that this is the second incident of such nature and any incurrent violation of COVID-19-related SOPs would be dealt with a more stringent manner but not limited to revocation of operating authorization granted to Turkish Airlines for flight operations to/from Pakistan.