In the past 13 days, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) faced its most serious crisis yet, causing over 500 flight cancellations. The crisis began when Pakistan State Oil (PSO) stopped supplying fuel due to unpaid bills, causing major problems for the airline.
A PIA spokesperson confirmed the cancellation of 528 flights since October 14 and mentioned the airline’s efforts to pay PSO for fuel. In the last three days, more than 160 domestic and international flights couldn’t take off, with only 84 managing to fly after securing fuel. These operational flights are carrying fewer passengers than usual.
As PSO didn’t offer any credit or flexibility, PIA had to reduce its operations and only schedule flights for which they could ensure enough fuel. They gave priority to destinations like Canada, Turkey, China, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
Safdar Anjum, the General Secretary of PIA’s Senior Staff Association, blamed the current management for mishandling the crisis. Anjum emphasized that privatization isn’t the solution to PIA’s problems and urged the government to establish an independent board of directors to deal with the situation.
