PIA Fleet Crisis: 16 Aircraft Grounded as National Carrier Operates Just 17 Planes
A parliamentary committee has raised serious concerns over PIA's fleet availability and service quality, revealing that nearly half of the airline's aircraft remain grounded while only 17 to 18 planes are operational.
Pakistan International Airlines is operating with a significantly depleted fleet, with officials confirming that 16 aircraft are currently grounded while the national carrier runs only 17 to 18 planes, according to a briefing given to the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Privatisation.
Committee members were informed that PIA's aircraft previously had an average age of 21 to 22 years. The airline has taken delivery of one Boeing Dreamliner, with a second expected in January, both of which are between seven and eight years old. Officials said efforts are underway to restore grounded planes, with repairs being carried out where suitable engines are available.
On the route expansion front, officials told the committee that PIA's London flights have resumed on a daily basis, while services to Manchester and Birmingham are expected to launch. Karachi-London flights are scheduled to begin in March 2027. The Secretary of the Privatisation Commission noted that passengers on London flights are being served meals and have responded positively to the biryani and pulao offered onboard.
Committee member Sahar Kamran questioned PIA's service standards despite the tax relief extended to the airline, arguing that private carriers were delivering better service and operating flights on time while PIA's performance remained unsatisfactory. She also expressed concern that the committee had not yet received a required report on the national carrier.
In response, the Secretary of the Privatisation Commission clarified that PIA had received a sales tax exemption solely on the purchase of new aircraft, with no other tax exemptions granted following its privatisation. Separately, the committee voiced serious concerns over several ministries' failure to respond to parliamentary questions and submit requested information. Farooq Sattar noted that some ministries had submitted no answers, with questions marked as "awaiting response."
Kamran said documents relating to matters under discussion had only been provided the previous evening, and argued that Parliament and its committees had effectively become inactive, pointing out that the meeting lacked the required quorum and no ruling coalition member was present. Natasha Daultana objected to holding the meeting informally, while Sattar said members were not even participating via Zoom and the committee could not proceed under those circumstances.
