Tag: Flight Operations

  • PIA to resume direct flights to Paris in June

    PIA to resume direct flights to Paris in June

    Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to resume its flight operations to Paris in June, marking a significant step forward for the national carrier.

    In an address to a delegation from the Council of Economic and Energy Journalists in Islamabad, PIA Chairman Abdullah Hafiz unveiled the anticipated receipt of safety approval from the International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) in the imminent future.

    “With the imminent clearance from IASA, we are poised to launch flights to Paris by June, followed by the reinstatement of direct flights from Pakistan to Britain’s Heathrow Airport on August 14,” stated Hafiz with assurance.

    In anticipation of these pivotal routes, PIA has intensified its efforts in the maintenance and overhaul of its Boeing 777 aircraft fleet.

    Presently, seven Boeing 777 aircraft are operational, with an additional two expected to join the fleet within the next two months.

    This expansion will equip PIA with a total of nine Boeing 777 planes, facilitating efficient flight operations to both Europe and Britain.

    Highlighting Pakistan’s global aviation connectivity, Chairman Hafiz underscored that the country boasts air service agreements with 97 nations worldwide.

    The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had imposed a flight ban on PIA following a tragic plane crash in Karachi in May 2020, which claimed 97 lives.

    Subsequent investigations uncovered discrepancies in the licensing procedures for commercial pilots.

    It is noteworthy that in November 2023, a delegation from EASA conducted a comprehensive evaluation of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and PIA, assessing various aspects such as licensing, flight safety, flight standards, and airworthiness.

  • When are flight operations for Hajj 2024 starting?

    When are flight operations for Hajj 2024 starting?

    Hajj season is about to begin in the Muslim world. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is all set to facilitate thousands of pilgrims embarking on the sacred journey of pilgrimage to Holy Kaaba in Saudi Arabia.

    SAMAA News has reported that the schedule will commence on May 9th, with flight operations spanning across the second week of May, extending into the following month, catering to the influx of devout Muslims from Pakistan.

    The age limit set by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been lifted while Pakistan’s Hajj quota has been reinstated.

    Hajj 2024 policy

    The results of the Hajj 2024 draw, unveiled in December 2023, selected 63,000 applicants for the pilgrimage under the state-run scheme. Introducing a technological paradigm shift, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministry has mandated smartphones for all pilgrims this year, aligning with the contemporary digital landscape.

    Pilgrims are required to use mobile applications throughout their Hajj journey, offering comprehensive guidance ranging from their Hajj flight to accommodation in Saudi Arabia, supplemented by instructional videos. Each pilgrim will receive a complimentary mobile SIM card courtesy of a Saudi telecommunications company, facilitating 180 minutes of international calls.

    Hajj training by the government of Pakistan

    Pilgrims are poised to undergo the second phase of Hajj training conducted by 40 proficient trainers. It will commence on April 15th across 122 locations nationwide. These trainings will familiarize pilgrims with new initiatives and pertinent Hajj-related information.

    To ensure the health and well-being of pilgrims mandatory vaccination protocols are set to commence ten days prior to the commencement of Hajj flights.

    Pilgrims will be equipped with essential amenities including a suitcase, hand carry bag, shoe bag, Ihram belt, and a distinctive green scarf adorned with the Pakistani flag.

  • Dense fog disrupts Islamabad flight operations

    Dense fog disrupts Islamabad flight operations

    Flight operations out of Islamabad International Airport have been greatly affected due to heavy fog in the federal capital and twin city of Rawalpindi.

    According to Geo News, three flights arriving in Islamabad were diverted to Lahore and Peshawar, while the arrival and departure of dozens of other flights have been affected.

    A private airline’s flight from Karachi to Islamabad landed in Lahore after half an hour of waiting in the air, while the Sharjah-Islamabad flight PK 182 also landed in Peshawar. The flight arriving in Islamabad from Dubai also shifted to Lahore.

    According to the aviation department, a British Airways flight from Islamabad to London and an Emirates flight kept waiting for clearance to depart for Dubai.

    Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit and Bahrain could not depart on time as fog reduced visibility.

    The reports of dense fog have been received from all around the city which is hindering the normal lifestyle.

  • PIA flight operation resumed after deal with PSO

    PIA flight operation resumed after deal with PSO

    Update: After intense deliberation, PIA has cracked a deal with PSO due to which flight operations are slowly restarting. The delay in reaching an agreement caused the cancellation of more than 19 flights and delayed more than 20 others. 

    According to the deal, PIA is to pay Rs.100 million to the PSO on a daily basis. Flight operations have resumed since then. 

    Previously, the feud between Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Pakistan State Oil (PSO) continues while the passengers bear the brunt.

    Flight operations were adversely affected with 14 flights being cancelled and four others being delayed due to a halt in the supply of fuel to the airline, over the issue of non-payment of dues.

    The domestic cancelled flights were from Islamabad to Gilgit, one from Islamabad to Quetta, one from Karachi to Sukkur, one from Islamabad to Multan and one from Karachi to Faisalabad.

    Pk 304 from Karachi to Lahore, Pk308 from Karachi to Islamabad and Pk 309 from Islamabad to Karachi were delayed due to fuel unavailability. Pk 305 from Lahore to Karachi was delayed after its delayed arrival in Lahore.

    Hundreds of people, including passengers and flight crew, are facing inconvenience in the face of these partial suspension and delays in flight operations.

    To mitigate the severe issues of PIA’s flight operations, the Airline company has already requested the Aviation Division in a letter to arrange for them a loan of over Rs 7.5 billion from banks to keep itself afloat. The letter further states that fuel supply in Jeddah and Dubai was halted due to PSO’s refusal of fuel supply. This letter has been sent by the General Manager Funds Management to the Deputy Director Division and is now directed to the Ministry of Finance, urging them to intervene.

    Interestingly, no bank has shown any interest in providing loan to the loss-making national flag carrier.

    Earlier, in the mid of September, caretaker PM Anwarul Haq Kakar had aimed to sell-off the airline but the Interim Minister of Finance Dr. Shamshad Akhtar had said that the Government would support PIA to keep it in the skies. This was followed by the Caretaker Privatization Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad announcing later on that the government would not ground the PIA. He claimed to have already worked out a plan in a press conference.

    On the contrary, a plan is currently lying on his table as shared by the PIA which involves a debt restructuring program (which has reached 260 billion), blocking tax payment to the FBR and not paying fees and charges of the Civil Aviation Authority but does not address the mammoth of issues in administrative affairs.

    Dr. Shamshad has vowed to support the airline as the government has 92% stakes in it implying the saga of PIA going downhill seems to linger on for it has also announced bonuses of 915 million for its employees amidst all of this.

    Read more on this: https://thecurrent.pk/loss-making-pia-announced-bonuses-for-employees-on-their-good-performance/

  • Financial turmoil threatens PIA: Flight cancellations surge, salaries delayed

    Financial turmoil threatens PIA: Flight cancellations surge, salaries delayed

    The Pakistan International Airline (PIA) faces an imminent crisis, as a high-ranking official from the national carrier has issued a warning that flight operations may be suspended by September 15th if emergency funding is not promptly secured. This concerning development, as reported by Geo News, underscores the severity of the situation.

    In a statement to Geo News on Wednesday, a senior director at PIA highlighted that the operational fleet has dwindled from 23 to just 16 aircraft, resulting in the unfortunate cancellation of numerous flights. The dire financial straits of the airline have led to significant disruptions.

    Furthermore, the official revealed that renowned aircraft manufacturers, Boeing and Airbus, have halted the supply of crucial spare parts to PIA due to outstanding payments. This disruption, coupled with reduced flight operations, has incurred substantial daily losses running into millions of rupees for the national airline.

    In a distressing incident, one PIA aircraft was temporarily detained at Dammam airport, while four others faced a similar situation at Dubai airport, all due to unpaid fuel bills. These aircraft were eventually permitted to depart based on written assurances from PIA, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reinstating PIA services following an emergency payment of $3.5 million.

    The official’s somber warning emphasized that without an injection of Rs23 billion in emergency funds, flight operations may face suspension by September 15th.

    In response to this critical situation, a PIA spokesperson, in a statement, assured that exhaustive efforts were underway to avert the suspension of flight operations.

    Earlier reports had indicated that PIA’s financial challenges had severely impacted its flight schedule, resulting in the cancellation of both domestic and international flights. The airline had urgently requested government intervention to provide the necessary funds, and there were also reports of unpaid salaries to PIA employees.

    This financial turmoil for PIA had previously prompted the grounding of five leased aircraft, with the possibility of grounding four more due to ongoing financial constraints. The airline had sought an emergency bailout of Rs22.9 billion, which was unfortunately rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Additionally, the ECC declined requests for the deferment of monthly payments to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

    In another setback, last month, the FBR had frozen 13 PIA bank accounts due to non-payment of Rs8 billion in Federal Excise Duty (FED), further compounding the airline’s financial woes.