Tag: flight cancellations

  • PIA struggles to stay afloat as fuel shortage forces cancellation of 349 flights  

    PIA struggles to stay afloat as fuel shortage forces cancellation of 349 flights  

    Over the past two weeks, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has been compelled to cancel 349 flights due to a severe fuel shortage, underscoring the challenges faced by the financially struggling national carrier.

    According to a spokesperson, these flight cancellations, which began on October 14, have affected both domestic and international routes, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. 

    PIA has issued a statement confirming that daily flight rescheduling is ongoing, but without specifying the expected duration of this crisis. Flight schedules are being adjusted based on fuel availability, as mentioned in the statement. 

    This situation has arisen from an ongoing financial dispute between PIA and the Pakistan State Oil Company (PSO). PIA alleges that PSO has suspended its credit line for fuel and is now requiring daily advance payments before supplying the necessary fuel. 

    PIA has emphasised its efforts to manage its funds and has indicated that the return to regular flight schedules depends on the availability of financial resources. 

    To keep affected travellers informed, PIA has outlined its priority destinations once flight operations resume. Canada, Turkey, China, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia are expected to be among the first countries to be reconnected. 

    However, PIA’s flights to Europe and the UK have remained suspended since 2020 following the revocation of the national carrier’s authorization by the European Union’s Aviation Safety Agency due to the pilot licence scandal. 

  • PIA faces flight cancellations and delays as financial crisis intensifies

    PIA faces flight cancellations and delays as financial crisis intensifies

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), currently grappling with severe financial challenges, has been compelled to cancel multiple domestic and international flights.

    An authoritative representative of the national flag carrier conveyed to Geo News that there’s a looming risk of suspending flight operations by September 15, today, unless urgent financial support is extended.

    This predicament initially materialised on August 12, when numerous domestic flights, both departing from and arriving in Karachi, had to be abruptly canceled. This unfortunate situation was attributed to a combination of financial constraints and the inability to settle outstanding dues owed to Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for fuel supply.

    An examination of today’s schedule at Jinnah International Airport reveals a series of disruptions in PIA’s services. Notably, flights from Karachi to Bahawalpur (PK588 and PK589) and Karachi to Lahore (PK302 and PK303) have been canceled.

    Furthermore, the Karachi to Islamabad flight (PK368) faces a three-hour delay, while the Karachi to Lahore flight (PK304) encounters an extensive delay of eight and a half hours.

    Additional disruptions include the cancellation of PIA flights between Karachi and Rahim Yar Khan (PK582 and PK583), along with delays for Karachi to Multan (PK330) and Dubai (PK213), both postponed by two hours.

    Moreover, the Islamabad to Karachi flight (PK301) has been cancelled; Islamabad to Riyadh (PK753) is running three hours behind schedule; and Lahore to Karachi (PK305) faces a delay of two and a half hours.

    PIA’s financial struggles have been escalating, with the airline revealing on September 7 that it had grounded five of its 13 leased aircraft, potentially grounding an additional four due to the ongoing financial strain. 

    A plea for an urgent bailout of Rs22.9 billion was met with rejection by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). The ECC also declined the request to defer payments, including Rs1.3 billion per month to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for Federal Excise Duty (FED) and Rs0.7 billion per month to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for embarking charges.

    Adding to the airline’s woes, PIA cautioned of possible suspensions in the supply of spare parts by Boeing and Airbus come mid-September. In the previous month, the Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan (FBR) took the drastic step of freezing 13 PIA bank accounts due to non-payment of Rs8 billion in FED.

  • Pakistan travel disruption: Over 60 domestic and international flights cancelled

    Pakistan travel disruption: Over 60 domestic and international flights cancelled

    More than 60 domestic and international flights from various airlines have been cancelled due to the unstable situation in Pakistan, with many other flights being uncertain about their arrival and departure.

    The cancellations have affected flights to major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, where the number of passengers has decreased.

    According to the airport schedule, more than 60 domestic and foreign flights from various airlines have been cancelled, including flights from Karachi to Jeddah, Madinah, Muscat, Dubai, Riyadh, Baghdad, and Baku. The arrival and departure schedule of Karachi Airport provides a comprehensive list of the affected flights, including those cancelled between Karachi and Islamabad, Lahore, Turbat, and Peshawar.

    To ensure that their travel plans are not disrupted, passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates on flight status.

    According to Minute Mirror, the following flights have been canceled according to the arrival and departure schedule of Karachi Airport:

    1. Karachi to Jeddah: ER 811 and ER 812
    2. Karachi to Medina: PK 743
    3. Salam Air flight to Muscat: OV 292
    4. Emirates Air flights to Dubai: EK 605 and 604, EK 609 and 608
    5. Karachi to Muscat: WY 323 and 324
    6. Karachi to Riyadh: PK 729
    7. Flight to Baghdad: IF 331 and IF 332
    8. PIA flight from Baku to Karachi: K 154

    The following flights have been canceled between Karachi and Islamabad:

    1. PK369
    2. PF121
    3. PF122
    4. 9P670
    5. 9P871
    6. PA200
    7. PF127
    8. ER502

    The following flights have been canceled between Lahore and Islamabad:

    1. PK302
    2. PK303
    3. 9P840
    4. 9P841
    5. PF141
    6. ER520
    7. PA406
    8. PK306
    9. PF147

    The following flights have been canceled between Karachi and Turbat:

    1. PK501

    The following flights have been canceled between Karachi and Peshawar:

    1. PK350
    2. PK351