Criminal investigation into pilots who flew without valid licences

Pakistan International Airlines is currently banned from flying to both Europe and the United States after a scandal involving dozens of pilots who had fake licences.

 

Now Pakistan has started a criminal probe into dozens of pilots and at least five aviation officials over the fake pilot licence scandal.

It comes after numerous pilots were grounded after bogus credentials were used to get their licenses.

The criminal investigation by the Pakistan Federal Investigation Agency is targeting up to 50 pilots and aviation officials who allegedly facilitated the scam. 

It aims to prove 'alleged corruption, violations, malpractices in issuance of flight crew licences'.

"The Cabinet was told that FIA has opened proceedings into the pilots whose licences were revoked, and the civil aviation officials who connived with them," according to the Reuters news agency

The scandal came to light after officials opened an audit into Pakistan International Airlines following an air crash.

It found dozens of pilots received their licences even though they paid others to take pilot exams on their behalf.

The Express Tribune reported that 82 pilots had been using fake licences but the remaining 180 pilots under investigation had been cleared. 

The pilots investigated included 141 at state-run Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which employs 450 pilots. The remaining pilots worked for private airlines and charter services. 

Fly direct from Hobart to Flinders and King islands

The Tasmanian Government has announced new direct flights from Hobart to King and Flinders islands - which will be a boon for golf enthusiasts.

Sharp Airlines will be operating three services per week to each island on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on its 18-seat aircraft. 

It will be the first time flights have been offered as a regular passenger transport service to the islands direct from Hobart.  

There will be early arrival times on Wednesdays and Fridays and a later departure from King Island on Sundays – maximising the opportunities for golfers.

 

King Island has two new golf courses in Ocean Dunes and Cape Wickham (above) which are ranked among the best in the world.

King Island is also famous for food exports with a range of produce being sought by the world’s top chefs. Succulent beef, rich gourmet cheese and crayfish plucked from the Island’s crystal clear waters

Flights from Hobart to King Island will start at $460 return with Hobart to Flinders Island starting at $478 return. The first flights start on September 30, ahead of the school holiday period.

The Tasmanian Government is supporting the services for an initial 18-week trial period. If the demand remains then the services could be offered on regular basis.

Tourism Tasmania will be promoting the flights through the Make Yourself at Home campaign with print ads, content and a special lift-out booklet on Tasmania's island experiences in newspapers statewide. 

Flights can be booked now via sharpairlines.com.au

Clare Valley winemaker thriving in "retirement"

What do you do when you retire from the family business after 40 years of crafting fine wines - particularly riesling. 

If you are Neil Pike you start your own wine label, and relax by spending some time in the kitchen. 

Pike retired from the family Clare Valley winery last year but has now started his own label: Limefinger, with a 2020 riesling grown just a couple of minutes from Watervale Township. 

The Limefinger 2020 The Learnings Riesling was made in tiny quantities - just 3,000 bottles - and retails for $37.50. 

"After 40+ vintages working in the Clare Valley/Watervale one learns a few things along the way," Pike says. It has been a privilege to be able to apply those learnings to such a gorgeous parcel of fruit." 

Pike has also been cooking up a storm, including crafting some Limefinger lemon/lime oil pickle that he recommends using when cooking chicken. Paired with riesling, of course. 

See www.limefingerwine.com.au (soon).      

 

Auckland's latest five-star hotel opens its doors

New Zealand's newest hotel, the Park Hyatt Auckland, opened its doors this week, offering a new luxurious place to meet, drink and dine in a prime waterfront location. 

The first Park Hyatt in New Zealand is a 195-room hotel that features four restaurants and bars, a day spa and fitness centre as well as versatile event spaces. 

Park Hyatt Auckland also marks the return of Hyatt hotels to the land of the long white cloud. 

“We are delighted to welcome the first guests to Park Hyatt Auckland, a waterfront location steeped in New Zealand's rich culture," said hotel general manager Brett Sweetman. 

"Discerning domestic travellers as well as the local community can expect a host of exciting gastronomic delights and rare culinary moments, delivered with intuitive personalized service.

“As part of Hyatt's global care and cleanliness commitment, we have enhanced safety and cleanliness protocols to protect the wellbeing of our colleagues and guests ensuring their peace of mind throughout their stay.”

The hotel has been designed by Ali Reda from ar+d in Singapore in collaboration with local Bossley Architects, the hotel's architecture is conceptualised as a Māori wharenui (house) – to be a place of gathering that brings families and communities together. 

The hotel's double-layered exterior echoes a Māori cloak. 

The culinary team is led by executive chef Brent Martin, a New Zealander who has returned home after a career spanning six countries and more than 20 years managing restaurants in some of the world's top hotels.

Guests booking a Waterfront Escape package before October 31 to stay at the hotel before December 31 will receive NZD$50 credit per night to spend on site, as well as a complimentary room upgrade to a room with waterfront views. 

See www.parkhyattauckland.com

An eight-year-old red at a seriously keen price

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz - formerly known as Hermitage - is one of the great reliable "go to" choices for Australian wine drinkers on a budget.

Retailing at under $25, it always delivers on quality and value. 

What is less appreciated is that it is also a very good cellaring prospect for a decade or more for those who like their wines a little more mature than the current release 2018 vintage.

Dan Murphy's to the rescue. Dan's are selling the very impressive 2012 vintage - eight years on and drinking very impressively - for just $20.99; or $15 to their members. 

That means Wynns and Dan's have done all the cellaring for you - and are offering a wine at its peak without you paying a premium. 

Wynn's Coonawarra Shiraz has been made since 1952 - and gets just as much attention from chief winemaker Sue Hodder as more expensive wines in the excellent Wynns range. 

This has dark fruit flavours, is medium bodied with French and American oak laying a structural platform and has dark pepper and Asian spice notes. Very stylish.  

Take one of these to a dinner party and you will be a welcome guest. 

    

Special deals at one of Tasmania's icon destinations

I've been visiting Cradle Mountain Lodge for three decades, during which it has evolved without losing any of its charm.

A while back there was basic accommodation; no TV signal, no mobile phone access and no wifi.

Times change, but what was once a collection of basic wilderness shacks has been transformed to a quintessentially Tasmanian luxury experience.

One of the state’s iconic retreats underwent a facelift during the Covid-19 shutdown with a multimillion-dollar upgrade to its accommodation, dining, and spa facilities.

The five new King Billy Suites (below) are a delight. These offer central fireplaces, outdoor spa baths and elevated mini bars featuring a variety of items from high-end Tasmanian producers. Think heated towel rails, satellite TVs and serious rural spoiling.

With walking trails and waterfalls at your doorstep, you don’t have to look too hard to find wombats, wallabies, possums, pademelons and a Tassie Devil or two - and you can still chill out in the expanded Waldheim Alpine Spa, which has has a range of couples treatment options enhanced by the sensational views of the King Billy pines and fresh mountain streams in the heart of the Tasmanian wilderness.

Spring is among the most beautiful times of the year in this delightful part of the world with brilliant displays of wildflowers including waratahs, boronia, orchids, banksias, flowering snow gums and much more.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is also a bushwalker’s paradise with trails to suit every age and pace, and ability. Click here to view a range of self-guided walks at Cradle Mountain.

All the cabins are set discreetly in the wilderness - and none are more than a few minutes from the lodge itself. 

Cradle Mountain Lodge has taken additional steps to improve the hotel experience and general safety of guests, including advanced technology, an increased cleaning schedule and the provision of hand sanitisers around the property. 

The special offer for Tasmanians and anyone given an exemption to visit the state is: Stay two nights or more during spring and save up to 15% off the best rate of the day! Valid for stays until November 30. 

Full details and bookings see www.cradlemountainlodge.com.au/