Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has successfully resumed its regular flight schedule after securing funds for fuel purchases, according to the airline’s spokesperson. On a recent day, PIA operated 52 flights on various routes; however, two international flights, namely Islamabad to Jeddah and Lahore to Kuala Lumpur, experienced delays of over an hour. For the following day, PIA scheduled 48 flights, with 32 on international routes and the remainder on domestic routes, emphasizing a focus on key international destinations like Toronto, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai to prevent further disruptions.
Despite PIA’s assertions, a local media outlet reported that more than a dozen flights, including 14 to and from Karachi, were canceled on the same day. This raised concerns, especially as private airlines had recently raised their domestic fares following PIA’s delays and cancellations.
In essence, PIA has faced challenges in maintaining its flight operations, with delays and cancellations affecting both domestic and international routes. The recent securing of funds for fuel is a positive development, but inconsistencies between PIA’s claims and media reports indicate ongoing struggles in ensuring reliable service. Passengers are facing disruptions, and the competition from private airlines has increased fares for domestic flights. The situation underscores the need for PIA to address operational issues and regain passenger trust to maintain its position as Pakistan’s national flag carrier.