Rawalpindi, 16 September, 2023 (GNP): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has denied reports of an imminent shutdown and assured the public that it is actively addressing financial challenges.
While PIA has grounded several aircraft due to financial constraints, the airline is striving to secure the necessary funds for continued operations in the coming months. Contrary to media reports suggesting a potential closure by 15 September, PIA’s management and lawmakers have strongly rejected these claims.
The Ministry of Aviation, seeking a cash injection of Rs23 billion, has also alerted the government to the potential discontinuation of spare parts supply by leading commercial jet manufacturers Boeing and Airbus by mid-September.
PIA can’t continue as is, the nation can’t afford dead weight, where ppl starve and PIA accumulates debt. Must be restructured promptly. Poor can’t pay for the privileged few. @ANPOPakhtunkhwa
Read More at: https://t.co/wucn2mqpks— Arbab Usman (@UsmanArbab1) September 16, 2023
PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan has dismissed these reports as baseless and emphasized that flight operations are ongoing. He further confirmed that the airline is diligently processing both domestic and international payments, including employees’ salaries.
He confirmed the airline’s prompt handling of payments, including employee salaries, and assured the public of PIA’s stability and capacity to meet challenges with its strong global network and ample fleet for both international and domestic flights.
Read more: PIA cleared remote audit by EASA
In a separate development, the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has initiated the pre-bidding process to outsource operations at Islamabad International Airport through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
Interested parties have been invited to a pre-bid conference in Dubai on 26 September, with confirmation of attendance required by 19 September. Navigational services and runway operations will remain under the purview of the Civil Aviation Authority.
