Homeland Security refuses PIA permission for Lahore-NY flight

PIA not permitted Lahore-NY non-stop flight

BY AMRAIZ KHAN
LAHORE - The US Homeland Security, expressing its security concerns, has not permitted PIA to bring its nonstop flight to New York, sources in the airline confided to The Nation here on Thursday.
PIA flight Pk-711 is scheduled to fly to New York non-stop today. It is interesting to note that the route of PIA flight PK-721 leaving Lahore for New York last Sunday was changed at the eleventh hour due to unknown reasons.
A delegation comprising officials from US main security agencies including Home Land Security and Traffic Safety Authority visited Pakistan recently and expressed their security concerns over the prevalent security measures at various International Airports.
The US security officials termed the security environment at Karachi and Islamabad Airports as worst where they believed that many influentials got away without security search and checks. They also said in the report that there were many entrance points on these airports. However, the security arrangements at Allama Iqbal International Airport have been found close to satisfaction, sources added.
It is interesting to note that PIA announced its flight to New York without prior permission from the host country. According to rules every airline was bound to seek prior permission to change the route from the country concerned.