PIA Rejects Claims of Entire Flight Crew Disappearing in Toronto
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday strongly rejected viral social media claims suggesting that an entire flight crew disappeared during a transit stop in Toronto, calling the reports false, misleading and part of a deliberate attempt to damage the reputation of the national flag carrier and Pakistan.
In an official statement, the airline said that the claims circulating online were baseless and originated from what it described as “anti-Pakistan quarters.” PIA clarified that all crew members involved in the flight are safe and accounted for, dismissing rumours of any collective disappearance as completely untrue.
The airline said a misleading tweet was shared on social media on Sunday, which was then amplified without verification, causing unnecessary concern and confusion. PIA urged the public to refrain from believing or sharing unverified information and advised passengers and social media users to rely only on the airline’s official communication channels for accurate updates.
While rejecting the current claims, PIA acknowledged that there have been isolated incidents in the past where individual crew members failed to report for return flights during international transits, particularly in Canada. However, the airline stressed that such cases were individual in nature and did not involve entire flight crews.
Referring to a recent incident in November, PIA said that a flight attendant did not board a return flight from Toronto, citing health reasons, and that the matter is currently under investigation through internal procedures.
The airline noted that similar individual cases have been reported over the years, prompting stricter monitoring and internal inquiries. PIA said it has taken steps to address such issues and to ensure improved oversight of crew movements during international operations.
PIA reiterated its commitment to transparency and operational discipline, stating that false narratives not only harm the airline’s image but also undermine confidence in Pakistan’s aviation sector.
The national carrier again appealed to the public to verify information before sharing it online, warning that misinformation campaigns can have serious reputational consequences at both national and international levels.
