Minister for Civil Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan Friday said that the government is determined to bring Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) out of financial crisis of Rs 416 billion.
The outstanding dues of national flag carrier have reached around Rs 97 billion, which it has to pay to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA); however, keeping the financial position of the PIA in view, the CAA has not yet asked PIA to return the amount, he further said.
In an interaction with the media persons, the minister said that the government has planned out a strategy to reduce the financial burden of PIA and devised a new business plan in this regard along with aviation policy, which has already been approved by the cabinet.
He said that the PIA has already started cutting its losses and is showing improvement with continuing flights to commercially viable destinations, besides planning to add more commercially viable routes.
The PIA is also increasing its fleet and the government's plan is to bring PIA into a competition zone, he added.
Elaborating the new aviation policy, the minister ensured boost in the tourism sector too since the airports at Saidu Sharif is intended to be open soon.
The minister said at present Pakistan has Air Service Agreements (ASAs) with 98 countries, covering aspects relating to the number of frequency, seats, landing points and code-share.
To a question, he said closure of airspace for Pakistan's airline by India is more harmful for it as compared to Pakistan. "We have only two flights using Indian airspace while mostly flights of India are using Pakistan airspace," he added.
To another question, he said currently the PIA is operating its flights on 18 international routes including the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Qatar, China, Malaysia, India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Thailand and Canada. He said all international airlines are requesting Civil Aviation Authority for more destinations in Pakistan.
He said first flight of British Airways would land at Pakistan International Airport on Monday (June 3) morning while the same day the flight would depart for London. The minister said British Airways would operate three flights in a week from June after an interval of a decade. He said, "The airline will resume its operation after 11 years break. British Airways has expressed its desire to operate three flights in a week from Islamabad." The airline had suspended its operations in Pakistan in September 2008.
He said the security concerns of British Airways have been addressed by the government of Pakistan. "Punjab police, Airport Security Force and other law enforcement agencies will ensure security," he added
The minister said the PIA aircraft would bring back about 300 Pakistanis languishing in Malaysian jails on May 29. The Pakistanis in Malaysia would be airlifted through a Boeing 777 of Pakistan International Airlines and Overseas Pakistanis Foundation has signed an agreement with the PIA in this regard, he added.
Responding to various questions, he said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government cannot be held responsible for current economic crisis. "The political parties which ruled the country for the last 35 years should be made accountable for economic water and energy crises," he added.
He said only the PTI is the symbol of federation while Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz are confined to one province each.
To a question, he said the process of accountability should be across the board.
About proposed shifting the CAA headquarter to Islamabad, he said every time the officials have to come all this way to Islamabad to sort out even minor matters or to attend committee meetings or court cases, etc.
While replying to a question about PIA fares, he said fares are directly linked with dollar rate and fuel cost.
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