Karachi: Pakistan International Airlines on Monday announced major operational changes, including the suspension of certain international flights and the removal of all fare discounts, as aviation fuel prices continue to rise amid ongoing austerity measures.
The airline stated that flights to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur will be suspended from April 11 and April 14, respectively, while operations to several Gulf countries will also be reduced by the end of April, with the exception of United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Flights to the UAE will be limited to 16 per week, and services to Saudi Arabia will also be curtailed.
The spokesperson explained that these measures aim to manage rising operational costs and avoid financial losses. While fare discounts for general passengers have been abolished, those for children and infants remain in effect. A war risk surcharge has also been introduced on air cargo shipments.
Additional cost-cutting steps include operating aircraft with a single engine during taxiing, limiting catering on domestic and Saudi-bound flights based on passenger numbers, banning excess food loading to reduce aircraft weight, and restricting electric generator use to emergencies only.
The PIA management noted that recent fuel price hikes—reportedly the fourth increase—are driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, further straining the airline’s finances. The airline expressed hope that global fuel prices will stabilize, allowing suspended routes to resume operations.
