Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has firmly rejected widespread social media reports alleging that eight of its flight crew members went missing during a layover in Canada, calling the claims completely false and misleading.
Read More: Airblue Faces Social Media Backlash Over Delays and Poor Service
The national flag carrier issued an official statement on X (formerly Twitter) stating that the viral post—which circulated widely on social platforms—was shared by accounts described as “anti-Pakistan elements” and contained no factual basis. PIA clarified that all crew members assigned to the referenced flight are safe, accounted for, and performed their scheduled duties as planned.
Airline Pushes Back Against Misinformation:
In its statement, PIA emphasized that:
- No incident of eight crew members going missing in Canada took place.
- Flight operations continue normally, including routes to and from Canada.
- The airline urges the public to rely only on verified information from official sources.
- Spreading unverified claims causes unnecessary panic and harms the reputation of both PIA and Pakistan internationally.
PIA also warned that misleading content on social media undermines trust in national institutions and could potentially damage Pakistan’s image abroad.
Context: Past Crew Absence Reports:
While the airline has dismissed the latest claim as fake news, isolated incidents of individual crew members not returning for scheduled flights in Canada have been reported in previous years. Some airline staff have reportedly chosen not to board return flights during layovers in Toronto, sometimes seeking to remain in Canada under the country’s immigration policies. Authorities have previously linked such individual cases to broader economic factors and Canada’s relatively liberal asylum system.
However, these past situations do not support the exaggerated claim that an entire flight crew disappeared, as shared in the recent social media rumor.
PIA Encourages Fact-Checking:
The airline reiterated the importance of verifying information before sharing it online, especially when it involves national carriers or public safety. PIA reiterated that no such mass disappearance occurred and all crew members have returned safely after their duties abroad.
