Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has had to cancel more than 50 flights since Tuesday due to restrictions on their daily fuel supply because of unpaid dues, as reported by local media.
On Tuesday, they had to cancel 24 domestic and international flights and delay 12 others. The national carrier also canceled over two dozen flights, including 16 international and 13 domestic flights, scheduled for Wednesday, with several others being delayed. These cancellations and delays were a result of limited daily fuel supply for PIA planes and other operational issues, as stated by a PIA spokesperson.
The affected international flights included those to destinations like Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait. PIA mentioned that passengers affected by these cancellations were accommodated on alternative flights. The PIA has also requested passengers to contact its call centre, offices, or their own travel agents before heading to the airport.
On Tuesday, following the cancellation of several flights, a PIA spokesperson said the management and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) were negotiating until late Monday night to break the logjam and streamline flight operations again, the Dawn said.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar has already instructed authorities to expedite the process to privatise PIA, which has been facing a financial crisis for a long time now.
In September, PM Kakar asked Privatisation Minister Fawad Hassan Fawad to look into the process. The instructions came during a meeting where matters related to the cash-strapped national carrier were discussed. At the same meeting, the prime minister added that the issues needed to be tackled to provide a reliable service to users and raise the standard of the national carrier.
According to a report in Dawn, PIA has grounded several aircraft as it continues to struggle for funds needed to maintain its operations for the next few months
