From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which is facing serious cash flow problems, cancelled several domestic and international flights.
A top official of the national flag carrier earlier told Geo News that that flight operations are feared to be suspended by September 15 (today) if emergency funds are not provided.
On August 12, a number of domestic flights to and from Karachi were cancelled due to a shortage of funds and the failure to pay Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for fuel supply. According to the Jinnah International Airport schedule today, PIA flights from Karachi to Bahawalpur (PK588 and PK589) and Karachi to Lahore (PK302 and PK303) have been called off.
Karachi to Islamabad flight (PK368) has been delayed for three hours while Karachi to Lahore (PK304) is delayed by eight-and-a-half hours. PIA flights to and from Karachi and Rahim Yar Khan (PK582 and PK583) were cancelled while Karachi to Multan (PK330) and Dubai (PK213) were delayed by two hours.
Other than that, the flight from Islamabad to Karachi (PK301) is cancelled, Islamabad to Riyadh (PK753) is delayed by three hours and Lahore to Karachi (PK305) is delayed by two-and-a-half hours.
On September 7, the PIA had said it grounded five out of its 13 leased aircraft with further prospect of grounding four additional planes due to the prevailing financial crunch.
The PIA had asked for an emergency bailout of Rs22.9 billion which was rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).
The ECC also rejected the request for deferment of the payments of Rs1.3 billion per month, which PIA pays to FBR against FED and Rs0.7 billion per month which PIA pays to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) against embarking charges.
The airline had also warned that Boeing and Airbus might suspend the supply of spare parts by mid-September.
Last month, the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan (FBR) froze 13 PIA bank accounts due to non-payment of Rs8 billion in FED.
Meanwhile, The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) spokesperson responding to the statement on the financial condition of the national airline stated there is no truth in the reports and concerns regarding the closure of PIA. PIA spokesperson said statements spread by a certain section are baseless and declaring September 15 as the closure date has damaged the reputation of PIA.
PIA spokesperson commented: “PIA management has been successful in its efforts to get funds and PIA is making the most urgent domestic and international payments”.
He said that PIA paid employees’ salaries.
Earlier, PIA’s financial challenges eased out as the government of Pakistan supported with release of some critical funds through Banks.
“The funds shall be used to clear long-standing dues of Aircraft and Engine leases, Spares Support, and Handling payments at foreign stations. Restructuring is also on track,” the spokesperson said.
