PIA cancels 349 flights in two weeks over fuel row

[Kingdom come]

Pakistan International Airlines has cancelled 349 flights in the last two weeks due to a shortage of fuel, it said on Thursday, underscoring the difficulties faced by the cash-strapped national flag carrier.

The flight cancellations since October 14 have affected both domestic and international routes, a PIA spokesperson told Reuters.

The crisis comes after the caretaker government announced it would privatise the airline as part of a fiscal discipline plan agreed under an International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout agreed in June.

The airline has accumulated billions of dollars in losses and liabilities, which the interim step-up says it can no longer fund.


Flights are being rescheduled on a daily basis, the company said in a statement, without giving details on how long the crisis would last.

“The flights are being scheduled as per the availability of fuel,” it said.

The PIA and the Pakistan State Oil company (PSO) have been locked in a dispute over payments. The airline says the PSO has suspended its credit line for the fuel and is now releasing supplies only against a daily advance payment.

“The PIA is trying to manage funds,” the statement said, adding that the resumption of the usual schedule would depend on the availability of funds.

It said Canada, Turkiye, China, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia would be priority destinations when flights resumed and it would keep passengers updated on flight schedules.

PIA flights to Europe and the UK have been suspended since 2020 after the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency revoked the national carrier’s authorisation to fly to the bloc following the pilot licence scandal.

PIA cancels 349 flights in two weeks over fuel row

Crisis comes after govt's decision to privatise national carrier; PIA says flights are being scheduled as per fuel availability.

www.dawn.com

 

[nahtanbob]

death spiral ???

 

[flameboard]

death spiral ???

this is a demolition. They want to make room for their personal private airlines

 

[nahtanbob]

this is a demolition. They want to make room for their personal private airlines

backdoor deal for private airlines

 

[Kingdom come]

They want to make room for their personal private airlines

Which one?

 

[HAIDER]

 

[ghazi52]

,..,.,.

 

[epebble]

death spiral ???

I wonder who has the courage to fly in these rust buckets. I wouldn't put my cat in one of them.

 

[nahtanbob]

The Conundrum of PIA​

In recent times, we have seen a dramatic shift in the connotations attached to PIA. Once revered for its prowess in the sky, it has crashed into the uncertain reality surrounding state-run institutions across Pakistan. With negative news surfacing every other day, and rightfully so, we have slowly seen the image that we once held in such high regard slowly fade away, the most notable of which are the PIA advertisements that we all loved growing up. The recent downfall can be attributed to a plethora of factors, most notable of which include incompetent administration, shallow decision-making, and rising competition from Gulf Airlines.
The ongoing saga has left us pondering the reasons behind PIA’s downfall. Is it truly the result of administrative incompetence, as the airline itself suggests, or is there a deeper malaise at play? The previous government’s efforts to restructure PIA and the focus on privatisation during the caretaker government’s tenure have been tossed aside, leaving us to wonder about the airline’s future direction.
It is incumbent upon us to remember that PIA is not merely an entity; it is a cherished brand name with a storied history of industry excellence. The days when PIA soared high in international aviation rankings are not forgotten; they can be resurrected if we embark on the right path.
To safeguard this precious brand name, a competitive edge must be established. The only way forward is through privatization. The prevailing circumstances demand that we relinquish the state’s grip on PIA to ensure its operational viability and competitiveness. By embracing reform and private sector involvement, we can revitalise the airline, bringing back the glory days of UK-Europe routes and global prominence.
In these trying times, the identity of the individuals at the helm of the organisation is secondary. What matters most is preserving the legacy, the fond memories, and the affection that we hold for our national airline. PIA is more than a bureaucratic institution; it is the embodiment of our aspirations and a symbol of Pakistan’s aviation excellence.

 

[Hephaestus]

Which one?

Nawaz Airlines