- Problem will be resolved if credit lines are restored today: PIA.
- Flight operations were affected after PSO cut fuel supply.
- Only 3 flights will operate from Karachi under the “Fuel Adjustment Scheme”.
KARACHI: Flight operations of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have been severely affected and several flights have been canceled due to unavailability of fuel amid the financial crisis faced by the national carrier.
At least 26 flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gwadar and other cities have been canceled after Pakistan State Oil (PSO) reduced fuel supply to PIA, sources said.
A PIA spokesperson said the national carrier’s administration is looking into the matter and expects fuel supply to be restored today when the credit line becomes available. He also said that alternative flights are being provided to the affected passengers.
At least 18 flights were canceled from Karachi, of which three were bound for Islamabad, while two Karachi-bound flights were also canceled from Lahore and the federal capital respectively.
Meanwhile, only three flights will take off from Karachi today as per PIA’s fuel adjustment plan.
PIA’s financial crisis
The national carrier is facing dire financial straits as the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) had frozen all its bank accounts earlier this year due to non-payment of taxes, following which the airline was unable to clear its dues. Was incapable. PSO.
In September, PIA had sought emergency relief funding of Rs 22.9 billion which was rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
The ECC also rejected the request to defer payment of Rs 1.3 billion per month that PIA pays to the FBR against Federal Excise Duty (FED), and Rs 0.7 billion per month that PIA pays to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Pays to. Against making allegations.
Earlier this month, PIA flight PK 790 was grounded in Canada over ground handling and fuel company complaints.
However, the plane was released after the airline owed $200,000.
