Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced a 15% discount on flights to Toronto for travelers departing from Pakistan. Passengers can take advantage of this offer by purchasing tickets before October 15, 2024, for travel up to December 20, 2024.
The airline aims to ease financial burdens and encourage increased travel between Pakistan and Canada.
In related news, the privatization process for Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) is experiencing further delays. Potential bidders have requested additional information, which may result in an extension of the bidding deadline, originally set for October 31, 2024.
During a recent Senate Standing Committee on Privatization meeting, progress on the privatization of PIA and power distribution companies (DISCOs) was discussed. The privatization secretary noted that the timeline for the process depends on ongoing evaluations and negotiations, as some bidders seek more time.
He also highlighted issues related to legacy liabilities. The chairperson directed the privatization secretary to finalize the process by October 31, emphasizing the importance of these efforts for Pakistan’s future and expressing optimism for positive results from the PIACL privatization initiatives.
The biggest issue PIA had over the last several years specially when democracy came to Pakistan a large number of persons were inducted including pilots. PIA has one of the highest aircraft to employee ratio in the world as compared to Emirates and Qatar etc.
Now the potential buyers are not willing to take on all the surplus staff and wants retrenchment of the excess staff which were hired during the last thirty years.
This is a big challenge for both PIA current administration and the government.
How they will succeed in this task to woe potential bidders?
Meanwhile they should offer concessions on all routes not only Canada to attract customers to choose PIA for travel needs.