The Pakistan International Airlines has announced the suspension of several international routes, including flights to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and parts of the Middle East, citing a sharp rise in jet fuel prices.
In a statement issued on Monday, the airline said services to Gulf countries, except Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, will remain suspended until the end of April. Flights to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur will be halted from April 11 and April 14, respectively.
PIA said the decision follows a steep increase in global jet fuel prices, which have surged from around $85–90 per barrel to between $150 and $200 per barrel in recent weeks.
The spike in fuel costs has been linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted global energy supply chains, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.
The airline said fuel accounts for a significant portion of operating expenses and the continued increase has made it difficult to sustain operations on certain routes.
PIA added that it has limited its operations to the United Arab Emirates to 16 flights per week. The airline said the decision was taken to manage rising costs without passing the full financial burden onto passengers.