Lahore, December 15 - Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continues to face operational challenges due to recurring incidents of cabin crew members disappearing during layovers in Canada, with many suspected of seeking asylum. These cases, often involving flight attendants on routes to Toronto, have persisted for over a decade, highlighting issues related to Canada's asylum policies and economic pressures in Pakistan. While individual disappearances do not typically disrupt flight safety, they strain airline resources and prompt internal investigations.
In recent years, the trend has intensified, with multiple PIA crew members failing to report for return flights after arriving in Toronto. For instance, reports indicate at least three such incidents in 2025 alone, adding to dozens documented since 2022. Airline officials have linked this pattern to Canada's relatively accessible asylum process, which allows claims to be filed upon entry. PIA has implemented measures like passport retention and age restrictions for crew assigned to Canadian routes, yet the disappearances continue amid Pakistan's economic difficulties and uncertainties surrounding the airline's privatization.
Although rumors occasionally circulate about entire flight crews seeking asylum collectively, potentially grounding aircraft and stranding passengers, PIA has firmly denied such claims as baseless. Reliable accounts confirm that these events involve individual crew members during scheduled layovers, with replacement staff arranged to ensure flights proceed without major delays to passengers.
This ongoing issue underscores broader challenges for PIA flight crew asylum in Canada, affecting the national carrier's reputation and operations. As Pakistan International Airlines navigates these asylum-related disappearances, the focus remains on balancing staff welfare with reliable service delivery on international routes, including those prone to such incidents.
