PIA Plans More Flights To Northern Areas

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has revealed plans to increase its flight services to the northern regions of the country in anticipation of the upcoming summer season.

According to a spokesperson from the national airline, additional flights will be introduced to the northern areas in the near future. Specifically, the airline will commence operating two-way flights from Islamabad to Chitral starting from May 18th. These flights will run twice a week, providing more travel options for passengers.

Read more: PIA Offers Discounted Fares For Umrah 2024

In addition to the Islamabad-Chitral route, PIA has also announced the launch of two-way flights from Dubai to Skardu, scheduled to begin on April 29th.

These expansions in flight services come amidst the ongoing privatization process of the national carrier by the federal government. The decision to privatize PIA was initiated during the previous administration, with subsequent actions taken to streamline the privatization process and minimize legal obstacles.

PIA has faced criticism in recent years for its financial losses and operational challenges, including disputes with vendors like the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO). Despite efforts to resolve issues, the airline has struggled to achieve long-term sustainability.

The government is not only pursuing the privatization of PIA but also considering outsourcing operations at three major airports: Jinnah International Airport Karachi, Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore, and Islamabad International Airport. The initial step involves outsourcing operations at Islamabad International Airport for a period of 15 years, with plans to extend the outsourcing arrangement to the other two airports in order to enhance efficiency and improve public service delivery.