Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has issued guidelines to its pilots and cabin crew advising them not to fast during their on-flight duty days throughout the holy month of Ramzan. This directive, based on a medical recommendation, underscores concerns about potential risks to the safety of both crew members and passengers associated with fasting while flying.
The medical recommendation highlighted the adverse effects of fasting, including dehydration, fatigue, and diminished cognitive abilities, which could compromise the safety of flight operations. Consequently, pilots and cabin crew have been instructed not to observe fasts during their on-duty hours, irrespective of whether they are operating international or domestic flights.
An instruction letter distributed to all cabin crew emphasized the detrimental impact of fasting on attention, decision-making, reflexes, and stamina, thus necessitating the avoidance of fasting while on duty. Furthermore, the directive explicitly states that any crew member found fasting will be prohibited from boarding the flight.
This decision comes in the wake of a tragic incident involving a PIA Airbus flight that crashed near Karachi Airport in May 2020, resulting in the loss of 101 lives. An investigation by the Aircraft Investigation Board identified human errors, particularly lapses in judgment during landing procedures by the pilots, as the primary cause of the crash. Notably, one of the pilots involved in the accident was observed to be fasting at the time.
The report also highlighted the lack of clear instructions from PIA and the Civil Aviation Authority regarding fasting protocols for pilots during Ramzan while on duty, underscoring the need for comprehensive guidelines to ensure flight safety during the holy month.
