Can aviation be separated from the wider divisions in international relations? (Representational image)
\n\nImagine being a pilot or cabin crew member with all the necessary licences, qualifications and experience to operate an international flight, only to be told you cannot fly a particular route because of the passport you hold. It is an unusual predicament for an industry built on crossing borders every day. Yet, that is precisely the situation making headlines following restrictions imposed by Israel on flight crew from several countries, including Pakistan.
\n\nAs geopolitical tensions increasingly shape international aviation, the implications could extend beyond individual pilots and airlines. Governments already restrict access to their airspace and impose conditions on airlines operating certain routes. Nationality-based restrictions on individual crew members could add another layer of complexity to an already challenging operating environment. If more countries adopt a similar approach, airlines may have to rethink not just where they fly, but also who they can send there.
\n\nSo should passengers and the aviation industry be concerned about this possibility? Captain Sam Thomas of the Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) believes the restrictions need to be viewed in the context of Israel’s security concerns rather than as a…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle
