Pakistan’s national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has been operating profitably since March 2024, a government official in Parliament said on Wednesday.
During the time of questions from the National Assembly, the parliamentary secretary, Zeb Jaffar, said that PIA had recovered financially and had taken over the flights to the European Union, including services in Paris.
Answering a question from Mna Sharmila Faruqi, Jaffar noted that the detrimental remarks made previously on the house’s floor had a negative impact on the performance and reputation of the airline.
“The consequences of these remarks have been felt by the country,” she said.
He referred to a controversial declaration made in Parliament by former aviation minister Ghumlam Sarwar Khan, Pakistan Tehreek-e-insaf (PTI), which led to the ban on flights Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to several countries.
Jaffar confirmed that a renewed commitment with the EU aviation Safety Agency (EASA) had enabled PIA to restart theft to Europe. She added that discussions with British aviation regulators also increased.
Discussions are also underway with Turkish Airlines to improve international connectivity for Pakistani passengers, she said.
The government aims to extend PIA operations to profitable destinations, especially in the Middle East and North Africa. Jaffar stressed that these efforts are underway and that their results will become more obvious in the coming months.
PIA has also launched direct flights from Lahore to Bakou in Azerbaijan, as part of its continuous efforts to strengthen international air links and promote tourism.
Last month, PIA announced its first annual benefit in 21 years and marked a significant turnaround when it progressed with plans to sell the airline
According to documents seen by Bloomberg, PIA recorded a profit by action by RS5.01 for the year ending in December, its first profitable year since 2003, on the basis of the verified financial statements.
