SHC rules in favour of Shaheen Air

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has given a ruling in favour of Shaheen Air International (SAI) against the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), a statement said on Monday.

The CAA had recently directed SAI to submit documents for a fresh Regular Public Transport (RPT) Licence within 45 days or face a ban on operations.

This SHC ruling comes after SAI filed a petition asking the court to intervene in the matter, it said.

The SHC has specifically suspended this requirement of applying fresh for Regular Public Transport, showing it had no basis in the law as the CAA claims and the SAI was issued a licence 26 years ago.

The SHC directed the CAA cannot interfere with any business operations of SAI as long as they adhere to the repayment schedule.

“Thus, the act of removal of aero bridge and punishing SAI’s passengers is now illegal,” the statement said, and claimed that further lack of approval on routine new routes is also illegal.

SAI argued in its petition that it had suffered significant losses and damage its reputation internationally, as a result of the mishandling of the renewal of its Regular Public Transport.

Moreover, Pakistan aviation suffers immensely at home and abroad as a result of inconsistent and irrational behaviour of the CAA and its director general.

SAI had provided a host of documents to the Sindh High Court against allegations of outstanding dues by the CAA, including all recent payment plans.