PIA and other airlines in Pakistan have been fined by the CAA for late delivery of passenger luggage.
The lack of loaders and busy travel periods has contributed to massive delays in luggage at major airports in Pakistan.
The CAA has set time limits for offloading luggage and is issuing warnings and fines to address the problem.
The national carrier of Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), received hefty fines for luggage delays. PIA is one of several airlines in the country that were imposed fines by the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The fine on PIA amounts to PKR 5.2 million ($17,000) for late delivery of passenger luggage on multiple occasions.
Besides PIA, the CAA also fined a sum of PKR 6 million to other private carriers. The fines were in relation to late delivery of luggage for 13 flights at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport (KHI).
The turmoil continues for the airline
Pakistan’s flag carrier has been going through a turmoil of financial problems. From route restrictions and grounding of aircraft to frequent flight delays, PIA has been under constant scrutiny for not delivering on its promise. PIA's financial troubles have been worsened by safety concerns, leading to a ban from key markets.
This time around, the airline is fined by the CAA for causing hassle to the passengers due to delayed luggage. According to a report from 24 News, as many as 517 flights were fined at Islamabad International Airport (ISB) in the country’s capital. The Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) saw over 463 flights receiving warnings or fines for late delivery of passenger luggage.
Large airports across the country lack loaders, particularly during peak arrival times, resulting in massive delays in luggage. A major chunk of luggage delays at the airports came from Hajj flights, the timing of which coincided with busier-than-usual summer travel time this year.
The CAA has set a time limit for airlines to offload the luggage within 45 minutes of the aircraft’s arrival at the gate. For Boeing aircraft, the time limit is 50 minutes. The CAA has been issuing warnings for flights that go over the set time. After hundreds of warnings across multiple airports, the CAA has issued hefty fines across the board to curtail the growing problem.
Outsourcing of airport management
As a national carrier, PIA operates from all major and smaller airports in the country. However, the three major airports, KHI, LHE, and ISB, see major air traffic movements. The management and modalities at the three facilities were planned, by the previous government, to be outsourced. The former Aviation Minister, Khawaid Saad Rafique, had announced that a third-party organization would manage all administrative and financial aspects of the airports for a period of 15 years.
Photo: Asim Ali Malik/Shutterstock.
Mr. Rafique also mentioned that nearly a dozen companies have shown interest in providing management services to the three airports. The decision hoped to minimize mismanagement in a number of areas around major airports. The security, customs, and immigration services will remain under the control of the CAA.
What are your thoughts on the fines imposed on the national carrier of Pakistan? Tell us in the comments section.
Labor Day weekend can feel like a last-ditch effort to squeeze in one final three-day vacation before the busy fall season, but for us at Travel + Leisure, it’s also the chance to refresh our luggage collection with deals from our favorite brands. Yes, one of the busiest travel days of the year is also one of the best times to save on travel essentials like carry-ons, weekender bags, and checked luggage sets.
Many major retailers use the three-day weekend to mark down some of their most popular models — we’re talking huge discounts up to 77 percent off. We’re shopping the incredible deals from our favorite luggage brands — including Samsonite, Away Travel, Monos, Tumi, and Travelpro — to prepare for our fall and winter travels, although the sales sections on Nordstrom Rack and Amazon alone are enough to inspire even more far-flung adventures.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to take time away from your well-deserved three-day weekend to scour the Internet for the best deals … we did that for you. These deals go fast, so act quickly if you find a bag that suits your style. From 57 percent off one of our T+L’s favorite weekender bags from Boconi to $700 off — yes, $700 off! — this Champs luggage set, keep reading to shop our curated picks of the best luggage deals available this Labor Day weekend. But hurry — we haven’t seen prices this good since Black Friday, so these deals are bound to sell out fast.
Best Amazon Luggage Deals
Rockland London Hardside Spinner Wheel Luggage, 3-Piece Set
Amazon
No other retailer has a larger selection of luggage online than Amazon, and over Labor Day Weekend, it’s one of the best places to find some of the biggest deals on top selling brands. Score an entire 3-piece London hardside set from Rockland for 68 percent off the original price and find out why the set has nearly 8,000 five-star ratings, or snag the brand’s 2-piece softsided set for just $40, and join in on the other 42,800 five-star ratings.
This timeless brand has been trusted by travelers around the world for nearly a century, and it’s easy to see why. Samsonite luggage is reliably durable and new models come with loads of innovative features like RFID protection, USB ports, and suspension wheels. Labor Day Weekend deals on the brand span their entire range, from carry-ons and checked bags to under seat luggage. Save 30 percent off the trendy SXK Rolltop Backpack and 58 percent off the hardsided Centric 3-Piece Set.
Best eBags Luggage Deals
eBags CityLink Wheeled Backpack
Amazon
This America-based brand is owned by Samsonite and goes all out for Labor Day Weekend. You’ll find hardshell spinners, softshell carry-ons, backpacks, and luggage accessories deeply discounted from both eBags and Samsonite on the site. The brand’s popular CityLink Field Pack is on sale for 40 percent off, and they’re offering 30 percent off the new Entering Vacation Mode (E.V.M.) hard-sided spinner.
Best Lo & Sons Luggage Deals
Lo & Sons Catalina Deluxe Weekender Bag
Lo & Sons
This Asian-American-owned brand was born after founder Helen Lo struggled to find lightweight luggage suitable to her frequent travels … and her back problems. Lo enlisted the help of her two sons, and the trip came up with a series of functional, lightweight, and very back-friendly bags for everyday travel. They’re celebrating the long weekend with sales that last until September 11, and include up to 50 percent off their most popular summer styles, including this Upcycled Patchwork Tote for $99 (originally $165) and this Beacon backpack for $179 (originally $298).
Best Tumi Luggage Deals
Tumi Just in Case Backpack
There’s a reason Tumi is synonymous with quality; actually, 30 reasons. Each product produced by this high-end brand goes through a combination of 30 tests to ensure it’s ready to stand up against everything that will be thrown its way on the streets … or in the air. Tumi luggage is built to last, but their Labor Day Weekend deals won’t, so act accordingly. The brand takes international travel seriously, and designed many of their carry-ons to meet Asian and European standards, like their sleek Cori Tote, which is a whopping $271 off.
Best Monos Luggage Deals
Monos Check-In Large Suitcase
Monos
Not only is Monos a favorite of many T+L travel writers and editors, but the brand also shares a similar ethos to many professional travelers: “being immersed in the here and now.” The design is simple, but the quality is impeccable—and incredibly durable, as evidenced by the 40 tests each piece is required to pass before hitting the market — and that’s what separates Monos from everything else out there. The brand celebrates Labor Day Weekend with up to 20 percent off favorite bags with a combination of the 10 percent promo code LONGWEEKEND and select markdowns on some of its best-selling pieces, like their vegan leather Metro Sling for $72.
Best Calpak Luggage Deals
Calpak Evry Starter Bundle Luggage Set
CalPak
The number of times the word “perfect” is used in the product reviews on Calpak’s top products should be enough incentive to purchase one of these popular bags, but their Labor Day Weekend sales make owning one perfectly irresistible. This year they’re offering up to 60 percent off select styles, with hot deals like $246 off their three-piece Evry Starter Bundle. Consider this your sign to add to cart.
Best Travelpro Luggage Deals
Travelpro Maxlite 5 25-inch Medium Check-In Expandable Spinner
Travel + Leisure editors aren’t the only ones who rave about this New York City-based luggage company, and just their The Carry-On bag alone has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. Away luggage deals don’t happen very often, but Labor Day Weekend is one of the brand’s biggest promotions it runs all year. Between now and September 4, travelers can save up to 35 percent on Away’s best-selling Original suitcases and select bags. You can get The Carry-on with Pocket, with room in the front for a laptop for just $276 or the F.A.R. Duffel Bag for just $93 (originally $170), but only if you act quickly!
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