Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been compelled to cancel more than 50 flights since Tuesday due to limitations on their daily fuel supply, resulting from unpaid dues, as per reports in local media.
On Tuesday, the airline was forced to cancel 24 flights, both domestic and international, and postpone 12 others. Subsequently, PIA also canceled more than two dozen flights, comprising 16 international and 13 domestic routes that were originally scheduled for Wednesday, with additional delays.
These flight disruptions were primarily attributed to constraints on PIA’s daily fuel supply for their aircraft, coupled with other operational challenges, as articulated by a spokesperson from PIA.
The impacted international flights encompassed routes to destinations such as Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait. PIA stated that passengers affected by these cancellations were accommodated on alternative flights.
Furthermore, PIA has urged passengers to get in touch with their call center, offices, or their respective travel agents before heading to the airport. On Tuesday, following the cancellation of multiple flights, a PIA spokesperson mentioned that the airline’s management and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) had been engaged in negotiations until late Monday night, striving to resolve the impasse and streamline flight operations, as reported by Dawn.
In September, Prime Minister Kakar instructed Privatisation Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad to investigate the process. This directive was issued during a meeting addressing matters related to the financially troubled national carrier.
During the same meeting, the Prime Minister stressed the need to address these issues to ensure reliable services for passengers and elevate the standards of the national carrier. As outlined in a report by Dawn, PIA has grounded several aircraft as it continues to grapple with the funding required to sustain its operations over the coming months.