Pakistan fines Qatar Airways for violating health guidelines

In this undated file photo, a Qatar Airways aircraft is seen at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar. (REUTERS)

• Violation put at risk the health and safety of passengers and airport personnel — Pakistan Aviation Division
• Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the national flag carrier of Qatar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday fined Qatar Airways for failing to observe health guidelines in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Abdul Sattar Khokhar, spokesman of the Aviation Division, said in a statement that the Pakistani government "has taken serious notice" of violation of standard operating procedures on an international flight operated by the national flag carrier of Qatar.

The violation, he added, resulted in putting at risk the health and safety of passengers and airport personnel.

 

Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has taken serious notice of violation of SOPs on International flight by Qatar Airlines which resulted in putting the health and safety of the passengers as well as personnel working at the Airport at risk. pic.twitter.com/eBUxM0rI0R

— Aviation Division PK (@AviDivPK) October 16, 2020

 

According to the statement, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) imposed a fine of Rs100,000 ($610) on Qatar Airways and obliged it cover all COVID-19 testing and quarantine expenses of the persons it had put at risk.

The Qatari airline has yet to release an official comment on the incident.