RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
has grounded 11 aircraft, including three of its Boeing 777s, as the country’s flag carrier grapples with a dire financial situation brought on by the unchecked flight of dollars and the rise in the cost of petroleum products.
11 planes have been grounded as a result of the airline, which runs about 30 aircraft, having major problems obtaining spare parts for the previous three years due to a lack of funding, according to sources.
In 2020 and 2021, two of the three wide-body Boeing 777 planes were grounded. Additionally, five A320 aircraft were grounded, including two in 2021 and three in 2023. Additionally, three ATR aircraft were grounded by PIA—one each in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
11 planes have been grounded due to a shortage of funding to purchase spare parts, according to a PIA spokeswoman, who also noted that the national flag airline is struggling financially and is dependent on foreign currency.
According to a senior airline official, the PIA fleet consists of 31 aircraft, three of which—the Boeing 777, Airbus, and ATR—are beyond repair due to a lack of engines and other equipment on the 11 grounded aircraft.
According to the official, PIA is now operating with the remaining 20 aircraft and is carrying out flight operations in accordance with the available aircraft. If flights are increased, especially on international lines, he claimed the airline will experience an aircraft scarcity.
According to the PIA website, their network covers
SSA office shut down
Separately, the PIA administration has shut down the Senior Staff Association (SSA) office “to maintain law and order situation and smooth functioning of the corporation’s activities”.
The closing of their office, according to SSA secretary general Safdar Anjum, was illegal and an effort was made to disrupt the organization’s tranquility.
While the PIA office in Rawalpindi remained closed for two hours on Monday, People’s Unity maintained its demonstration against the proposed privatization of the national flag carrier and its demand for a rise in employee compensation.
The People’s Unity stated in a press release that the protest would go on until all of their demands were met. The two-hour nationwide walkout will continue on Tuesday as well in an effort to halt the privatization process and make all daily-wage employees permanent, it stated.
The demonstration will continue until all requests are met, according to Hidayatullah Khan, the central president of People’s Unity, and it will begin to cover all offices nationwide on Tuesday.
