PIA to Introduce Special Discount Packages for Gilgit, Skardu and Chitral
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will launch a discount package for northern areas in the coming days to promote tourism during the current winter season.?It was decided at a recent high-level meeting of the national flag carrier, presided over by Federal Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique.
The Minister directed the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to implement special discount packages for Skardu, Gilgit, and Chitral, according to details.
Furthermore, the Minister directed officials to improve the PIA flight schedule by rescheduling flights from Lahore and Karachi to Skardu during the winter season.
It was reported earlier this month that the federal government is considering leasing regional jets on a dry lease to expand flight operations to small airports across the country.
During a meeting, the Minister stated that the federal government is developing a national aviation policy to revolutionise the country’s aviation sector.?According to data from the Aviation Ministry, PIA has given over 22,600 tickets to its officers and employees in the last three years.
Moreover, 22,600 free tickets were given to PIA officers and employees during the last three years, as per the data on PIA income and expenses revealed by Minister of Aviation Khwaja Saad Rafique.
In the last three years, the airline earned Rs328.67 billion and spent Rs148.40 billion on operational expenses.? In 2019, PIA earned Rs147 billion, Rs95 billion in 2020, and Rs86 billion in 2021. The authority spent R7.55 billion on salaries and reparations in 2019 and Rs38.88 billion in 2020.
PIA employees and officers have received at least 19,500 domestic and 3,000 international free tickets in the last three years. The data shows that 8286 free tickets were distributed in 2020 and 7067 in 2021. Almost 7249 tickets have been distributed in 2022 so far.
Earlier in September, the Civil Aviation Authority sped up the process of uplifting Sukkur Airport to international status while a survey for the airport’s expansion was completed.