Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been fined more than Rs1 crore by the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) over delays in delivering passengers’ baggage at Pakistani airports.
According to documents reported on September 26, the penalties were imposed after passengers faced delays in receiving their luggage following PIA flights. The airline was ordered to pay the full amount by September 25, but had not paid it by the deadline.
More than Rs7 million of the penalty was imposed at Islamabad Airport, while Rs1.485 million was charged at Lahore Airport. The action follows wider PAA monitoring of baggage handling and passenger services at airports. Earlier this month, eight airlines were fined a combined Rs1.62 million over 19 baggage delay cases recorded between July 1 and August 15.
PIA officials have disputed responsibility for some of the delays, pointing to problems with conveyor belts and scanners at Islamabad Airport and multiple flights arriving at the same time. The airline is in talks with PAA to seek a reduction or waiver of the penalties.
