Gilgit Air Traffic Controllers Go On Strike Over the Arrest of Colleague

[Abbas Ali]

According to news report on following link, Gilgit air traffic controllers went on strike against detention of their colleague. The strike affected air traffic control between Gilgit and Islamabad.

President Pakistan Air Traffic Controllers Guild (PATCG) Javed Hameed says that the air traffic controller Yasir Iqbal was arrested from Gilgit radar area for his alleged involvement in cutting of trees. The trees were cut in airport area under the supervision of Yasir Iqbal for the safety of flight operations. He was arrested around 10:00 AM by men in plain clothes under Deputy Commissioner's orders.

The arrested air traffic controller was released several hours later.

https://www.express.pk/story/1201420/1/

PIA operates flights between Gilgit and Islamabad with ATR turboprop aircraft.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to news channels, Gilgit Airport has been closed due to unavailability of air traffic controller. Doctors have advised two days rest for air traffic controller Yasir Iqbal.

Mr. Iqbal who was released after undergoing police interrogation/detention for six hours. The air traffic controllers say that the Assistant Commissioner misbehaved with the detained air traffic controller.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Is it also going to affect Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Lockheed C-130 Hercules flights to/from Gilgit?

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Gilgit Airport will remain closed on Sunday (June 10).

https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2018/0 ... l-flights/

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to news report on following link, the actual cause of dispute is payment of money for trees cut down/trimmed for flight safety around Gilgit Airport by CAA. Compensation/payment in lacs of rupees is being demanded for the fallen/trimmed trees.

Since last ten years, CAA has been making payment to locals who own land where trees are cut down by the aviation regulatory body.

https://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPup ... e=20180610

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Chopping off trees: Gilgit airport shut down

GILGIT: Gilgit airport was shut on Sunday for flight operations after the only air traffic controller at the facility was detained by the district administration.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday issued a notification regarding the suspension in flight operations to Gilgit after air traffic controller, Yasir Iqbal, was briefly detained.

Two men in civvies arrested Iqbal, air traffic controller and officiating manager at Gilgit airport, on Saturday morning over a dispute between CAA and district administration on the chopping of trees from the surrounding area of the runway.

As per details, the deputy commissioner of Gilgit had ordered the air traffic controller’s detention after trees were chopped off from the surrounding area. Authorities reportedly chopped off trees after pilots complained that due to a thick cover of trees surrounding the runway, landing and taking off of planes was being affected and posed a risk. Further, authorities claimed that at least eight to 10 passengers were being allowed to board Gilgit flights as the weight would slow down take off and could possibly cause the plane to crash into trees.

However, the district administration sought a compensation from the aviation authority over the chopped trees and detained the air traffic controller.

Iqbal was, however, released a few hours later.

Air Traffic Controller Guild President Javed Hanif alleged that Iqbal was ‘mistreated’ during his detention owing to which he could not perform duty and hence called for suspension in flight operations. Following this, the CAA had issued its notification.

CAA officials maintain that it is the district administration’s authority to ensure there are no tall trees or buildings in the runway surrounding areas and they cannot keep paying penalties for chopping off trees.

CAA Director General Hassan Baig while speaking to Geo News said, “The matter regarding compensation for the chopped trees would be resolved soon.”

Source: The News

[Abbas Ali]

Today, PIA ATR 42-500 (AP-BHP) performed Islamabad to Gilgit flight PK-607 & Gilgit to Islamabad flight PK-608.

https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/ap-bhp

Abbas