Saudi Aviation issues warning to PIA

RIYADH: The General Authority of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia has issued a cautionary notice to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to improve its performance.

In the advisory, PIA has been urged to ensure the timeliness and dependability of its flights, with a stern warning that flight slots may be curtailed if performance does not improve.

Notably, Saudi Aviation has issued similar warnings to a total of 26 airlines.

PIA has particularly come under scrutiny for its flight delays. Insider sources reveal that PIA’s flight operations to Saudi Arabia have been severely disrupted due to aircraft breakdowns, resulting in significant flight delays.

One prominent instance is flight PK 859 from Karachi to Jeddah, which experienced a substantial delay in its scheduled 8 AM departure.

PIA’s five aircraft grounded, flight operation disrupted

Regrettably, the flight couldn’t take off due to aircraft unavailability, leading to considerable inconvenience for passengers. The rescheduled departure time for this flight is now anticipated to be around 4:45 PM. PIA’s flight PK 742 from Jeddah to Karachi has also been delayed by over five hours, while PIA’s PK 301 from Islamabad to Karachi faced a delay of more than three hours, further inconveniencing passengers.

The recurrent flight delays are largely attributed to the grounding of five of PIA’s Boeing 777 aircraft. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is currently grappling with financial challenges in procuring the necessary funds to restore these aircraft to operational status. PIA’s fleet comprises a total of 31 aircraft, with a significant portion consisting of Airbus A320 planes leased from the European aircraft manufacturer “Airbus.”

Additionally, PIA also operates a fleet of Boeing aircraft, with approximately 15 of them being leased. This necessitates regular payments to leasing companies for the use of these aircraft in its operations. In addition to leasing expenses, PIA incurs costs for fuel, spare parts, and airport services to maintain its aircraft’s airworthiness. Financial responsibilities also include taxes and loan repayments. Out of PIA’s fleet of 31 aircraft, nearly 25 remain in flight-ready condition, while several others remain grounded due to delayed payments and maintenance issues.