KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has increased the number of its domestic flights after Europe and other countries imposed bans on the national flag carrier due to issues related to fake licences issued to pilots.
In order to restore its routine flight operations, the PIA has decided to increase flights to domestic destinations. PIA will run two flights between Islamabad and Karachi, as well as a daily flight between Lahore and Karachi, said the PIA spokesman in a statement on Sunday.
The spokesperson added that return flights will be scheduled between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The spokesperson further said that PIA’s special flights to Saudi Arabia, central Asian states and Iraq remain operational.
Earlier on May 20, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had allowed the national flag-carrier to operate more domestic flights.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) could suffer a loss of Rs33 billion as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), United States, United Kingdom and some other countries have suspended PIA flights for six months after reports emerged that over 200 PIA pilots could possess dubious licenses
Before the bans, PIA operated 23 flights to the UK in a week which included 10 flights to London, nine to Manchester and four to Birmingham. The national flag carrier operated six flights to Paris, Milan, Barcelona and Copenhagen in Europe.
The national flag carrier would also suffer losses of up to Rs12 billion due to cancellation of Hajj operations this year after the Saudi authorities decided to hold the annual pilgrimage on a limited scale.
