ISLAMABAD – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday termed the ATR aircraft as perfectly safe for flying in hot and cold climatic conditions following the reports that the said class of planes was not fit for flying.
Commenting on media reports regarding ATR not being a safe aircraft, Spokesman PIA in a press release said that ATR is perfectly safe for flying and is useful and economical on short haul flights in both hot and cold weather conditions.
‘Several of these aircraft are being operated by airlines in India and Europe’ the statement added.
The PIA official also rubbished media reports suggesting that there was some known defect in the aircraft before its last flight.
It defies common sense that pilots and engineers would fly an aircraft that does not meet safety standards and risk their own lives, the Spokesman added.
As many as 48 passengers were left dead after a PIA aircraft on its way from Chitral to Islamabad crashed near Havelian on Wednesday.
