A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight attendant has “disappeared” in Canada, and unfortunately this isn’t the first time (or even tenth time) that something like this has happened…
In this post:
PIA flight attendant goes missing during layover
A PIA flight attendant has gone missing during a layover in Toronto. Specifically, on November 16, 2025, a flight attendant operated flight PK789 from Lahore (LHE) to Toronto (YYZ). The flight attendant was scheduled to operate the return flight, PK798, three days later, on November 19, 2025, but didn’t show up. At that point he was reported as missing.
The company did manage to get in touch with him, and he cited ill health as the reason for his absence. However, he refused to make further contact, and chose not to return to Pakistan.
The airline claims that it’s now investigating the incident, and claims that “departmental action will be initiated against the flight steward in case of illegal disappearance.” Yeah, I’m not sure that’ll be terribly successful.
This is a pretty common occurrence at PIA
This isn’t the first time that this has happened at Pakistan International Airlines. As a matter of fact, this seems to happen several times per year, for around a decade now.
It’s likely that the number of flight attendants who “disappear” in Canada is connected to the country’s liberal asylum policies. Many crew have used their layovers in Canada as an opportunity to abscond, citing economic pressures in Pakistan as the motivator.
Several years back, PIA had claimed it would change protocols to avoid these issues going forward. Specifically, the airline pledged to hold onto crew passports during layovers, and require hotel security to make sure crews check-in, stay the night, etc.
However, it doesn’t appear that a whole lot has been done on that front. For that matter, I’m not even sure it would accomplish a lot — if someone wants to escape and is happy to ditch their passport, then there’s nothing the airline can do.
At least in each of these cases, this was done during a layover, and didn’t impact any other people at the airline directly. Contrast that to the 2014 incident, where an Ethiopian Airlines pilot hijacked his own plane in order to seek asylum in Switzerland.
Bottom line
A Pakistan Airlines flight attendant has disappeared in Toronto, which is only the latest in a string of incidents. It seems pretty clear that these are just people looking for a new life in another country.
It’s interesting how of all the places that PIA flies, this seems to happen almost exclusively in Toronto. I guess it reflects the country’s asylum laws, plus the feeling that people can start a better life there.
What do you make of PIA’s “disappearing” employees in Toronto?
Love those racist comments, those people are defining they're incapable of empathy and would likely be rejected as immigrants anywhere else in the world.
why do you need empathetic support in the first plance
The Corruption starts from the Top in Pakistan. you do not get these Flights to Canada easily. Crew has to Bribe the Supes and Upper Mgmt Thousands of Dollars in order to be able to work on the Canada Route. Before the crew decides to Jump ship, they sell their properties, clear out their Bank Accounts and say a Long Good Bye to the Families. the crew also has to promise to continue paying the...
The Corruption starts from the Top in Pakistan. you do not get these Flights to Canada easily. Crew has to Bribe the Supes and Upper Mgmt Thousands of Dollars in order to be able to work on the Canada Route. Before the crew decides to Jump ship, they sell their properties, clear out their Bank Accounts and say a Long Good Bye to the Families. the crew also has to promise to continue paying the people involved in sending the crew, otherwise the Handlers go after the crew's Families. This could have been stopped a long time ago by allowing only reliable crew to work those Flights, But.....
I’m not surprised that this happens, since life in Pakistan is not the best in the world; how do you explain the millions of people crossing borders in search of a better life? I’m not saying I agree with it, but a lot of countries in the world don’t offer opportunities to their citizens, so people leave, legally or illegally.
What you all don't know.
American 'I.C.E agents" train here in Toronto. They get their practice moves on unsuspecting inbound passengers and crew from developing/third world countries.
We collect a bounty.
Hahaha.
This comment is RACIST!
This fake Eskimo is RACIST!
I thought the OMAAT commenters supported the freedom of movements and immigration? Not saying that this is wrong either. Interesting insights.
People have the right to seek asylum to be protected by another country because they have fled persecution in their home country. Asylum laws are there for a reason. Americans have been granted asylum in other countries as well. We don't know the circumstances of this FA.
Just to be clear: Ben wrote that "many crew have used their layovers in Canada as an opportunity to abscond, citing economic pressures in Pakistan as the motivator". Economic pressures in Pakistan cannot be the motivator to the Canadian authorities for asylum status. Asylum can only be granted if the life of the asylum seeker is in danger back home (which may be the case for some PIA flight attendants, of course).
Economic conditions...
Just to be clear: Ben wrote that "many crew have used their layovers in Canada as an opportunity to abscond, citing economic pressures in Pakistan as the motivator". Economic pressures in Pakistan cannot be the motivator to the Canadian authorities for asylum status. Asylum can only be granted if the life of the asylum seeker is in danger back home (which may be the case for some PIA flight attendants, of course).
Economic conditions will lead to immigration, which is distinct path, and far from automatic (the famous Canadian point system, which has worked well to Canada's benefit).
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/claiming-asylum.html
“You may be able to ask for refugee protection if you can prove that returning to your home country will mean a danger of torture, a risk to your life, or a risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
A refugee is different from an immigrant. An immigrant chooses to settle permanently in another country. Refugees are forced to flee for their safety.”
Y'all are just super racist and way too privileged to walk in anyone else's shoes apparently...whether you're Canadian or American...why are you on a travel site when you seem to hate everyone else in the world who's not the same color? I'm disappointed in you Ben, for the first time, for letting ignorance speak on your site without any moderation.
What a bunch of meaningless drivel. Blah, blah, blah. Be QUIET!!!!!!
What a bunch of fake Eskimo. Blah, blah, blah. Be QUIET!!!!!!
It happens because Canada tolerates it. That is why Canadians are so jealous of America, but refuse to admit it. Usually, they make some lame claim of good health care. Yeah, good compared to Cuba.
Cuba actually has excellent healthcare. Just saying.
Canadians have many feelings towards America. Jealousy is not one of those feelings.
These comments are further evidence of the need for OMAAT to use a comment platform that requires registration and allows users to block comments.
Ben always justifies sticking with the janky open comment platform on grounds that he likes retaining access to the historical comments, but I suspect he really prefers the clicks that come from the flame wars in the gutter.
Could be an avenue to seek asylum. I wouldn’t be surprised if Uganda Airlines or employees from a number of countries, to do this when travelling from countries who for example, discriminate against LGBTQ. Ghana no longer has an intercontinental airline.
Note all the racists are out commenting.
It’s also possible something happened to the crew member we aren’t aware of, such as an accident.
And Pakistan doesn't discriminate against LGBTQ+ people? There are people living there that would perform extra-judicial murder against them, especially if it's a relative. And here's something that wasn't mentioned in the piece: the large majority of the PIA flight attendants who have "disappeared" have been male. All of them can be pretty easy to find. They're probably somewhere in Church and Wellesley.
No, Pakistan has "TREMENDOUS RESPECT for the "LGBTQ+ COMMUBITY".
Yours Warmly,
-Darryl Macklem
Pakistanis are a dime-a-dozen in Canada. They'll never find her in the crowd.
Totally easy to solve. Carry a second crew onboard that flies in as passengers coming in and works as the crew on the way back. Let the crew that flew to Toronto rest. !!!DO NOT ALLOW THEM OFF OR THIS WILL NOT WORK!!!
PAKI!!!!!
This has allowed all the vermin to crawl out of their dark holes. Ugh!
Wait. Is this "Racist"?
No, recognising patterns is not racism.
No, as long as it is not black/mexican/muslim, it is not considered racist in their book.
They should fly with a spare crew. I wonder if there is a migration network they are all using or if these are solo incidents.
Thanks Putin!
Thanks fake Eskimo
Keeping your employees‘ passport is for a lot of good reasons an illegal practice in decent countries
I’m not surprised that this happens, since life in Pakistan is not the best in the world; how do you explain the millions of people crossing borders in search of a better life? I’m not saying I agree with it, but a lot of countries in the world don’t offer opportunities to their citizens, so people leave, legally or illegally.
I'm just happy he's not roaming around in America.
...raping and killing and getting free phones and free healthcare.
Or none of the above.
Crawl out of your hole James and wake up
Andcthat racist commemt should get you banned for a lifetime. Wonder why you npt mentioned eating cats and dogs. Absolutely disgusting.
Sounds like a great description of many American and British expats living in Thailand
Yes. The USA’s free healthcare lol
I hope he roams his way over to AA, UA, or DL. PIA may not have the greatest hard product, but their crew is certainly friendly and hard working.
Indeed, the cats and dogs of Springfield are safe for now!
I remember the cabin crew giving you crap for taking photos on a Manchester flight I think it was? lol
It's really a shame what PIA has become. Along with Gulf Air, they used to be the Emirates before Emirates. I guess they got beat by the ME3 + Turkish?
@Mike O.
Mismanagement and corruption destroyed PIA long before the ME3 and Turkish started to dominate. So they lost their business to ME3 and Turkish due to their poor service.
I agree that dual national crew would solve the isdue but what if Canadians wanted to abscond in Pakistan ?!
PIA needs to hire dual or Canadian nationals. Problem solved.
Or stop flying to North America..
"Seek asylum" is the new way of saying "try to migrate to a developed Western country"
You forgot to say "illegally".