Pakistan International Airlines Forced to Ground Boeing 777 Aircraft, Amid Funding Crisis

According to a spokesperson for the nation’s flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which is severely cash-challenged, is reportedly on the verge resulting to grounding of several Boeing 777 aircraft.  After canceling over 500 flights in the last 11 days owing to fuel shortages.

According to sources, the national flag carrier has grounded four Boeing 777 jets, with maintenance costs likely to range between PKR 31 and PKR 40 million per plane.

Due to fuel shortages, up to 49 domestic and international flights from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, Multan, Peshawar, and other cities were cancelled on Thursday, according to sources. Prior to the privatisation, PIA CEO Amir Hayat sent a “motivation letter” to all of the staff members.

Prior to the airline’s privatisation, Hayat instructed every employee of the national carrier of Pakistan to stay focused on guaranteeing organizational compliance through close-knit teamwork. As the airline battles to raise the money necessary to keep running, more planes have been grounded.

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