Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will suffer losses worth billions following the ban on flight operations in Europe, the United Kingdom (UK), and United States (US).
The suspension of flights to major Western countries came after the Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan revealed that over 200 pilots in the country possess dubious licenses.
The poorly timed and ill-managed crackdown against the pilots with dubious licenses could cost the national airline Rs. 33 billion.
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On the other hand, the suspension of Hajj operations due to coronavirus pandemic will also cause losses of Rs. 12 billion.
PIA operated regular flights to various destinations in the UK and Europe before the ban was placed. The week before, the national airline operated 23 flights to the UK, including ten flights to London, nine to Manchester, and four to Birmingham, whereas six flights went to different destinations in Europe.
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The authorities are, however, trying to get the flight ban removed. On July 10, PIA CEO Arshad Malik called on Prime Minister Imran Khan and apprised him of the ongoing dialogue with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the resumption of flight operations.
He also presented a comprehensive business plan to turn PIA into a profit-making entity. PM Khan directed the CEO to expedite the reform process of PIA and summoned the framework for the reform agenda within seven days.
Shame on Imran Khan who has not dismissed Aviation Minister (Ghulam Sarwar Khan) and PIA Chief (Current PAF Officer) from their posts. Imran Khan is the biggest coward and he is making compromises just to stick to his post. I am repenting that why I have voted for this fake Leader.
30 planes and 860 pilots all done by previous leadership
and what about the people who loss their lives, rip
Why mentioning it (ban and umra flights) as loss? They haven’t earned it yet.
My heartiest sympathies for all those mindless people who voted for Imran Khan’s PTI in 2018 fake general elections while knowingly an intentionally ignoring the ironic fact that in over 70 years of our political history ..every incoming leader was even worst than outgoing leader of this ill-fated country.
Finally my heartiest congratulation to all PIA’s including other Private Pakistani Airlines employees of all cadre who danced and celebrated PTI’s arrival in the government 2 years back. Welcome to the fake Riasat e Madina …. welcome to the Jungle. Cry just a little bit more.