The pilots and air hostesses of the national flag carrier have been prohibited from fasting during flights.

On the recommendation of the Corporate Safety Management and Aircrew Medical Center, all crew members of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have been instructed against fasting. All the pilots and air hostesses have been notified by mail.

According to a notification, a person can get dehydrated, lethargic and lazy in the state of fasting during flights. It further stated that the crew members have been given the facility not to fast during flight for their own benefit.

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"Although, while it is perceived that flying while fasting is a possibility, but in such a case the element of risk is considerable and margin of safety is minimal. In an emergency with multiple complexities, wrong and delayed actions may result in serious
consequences due to impaired judgment and incapacitation," the notice states.

It further says that fasting was known to cause hypoglycaemia, dehydration, lack of concentration/impaired judgment, slowing of reflexes, deterioration of judgment, and lowering of stamina. "“After considering all the factors objectively, it would be clear that flying while fasting is not only risking your own life but that of others too, in the aircraft and on the ground."

Pilots and crew members who are fasting will not be allowed to board the flight, the notification mentioned further.