PIA flight schedule disturbed

[Salman Mushtaq]

The operations of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) remained widely disturbed as several domestic, international and Haj flights were delayed and rescheduled due to the lack of aircraft, sources said on Wednesday.


They said that eight out of 39 planes were non-operational due to maintenance or technical reasons.

An official attributed this disturbance to mismanagement, adding that eight planes should have not been put to maintenance during such peak season.

Two Boeing-747s, two Boeing-737s, three Airbus A-310 and one ATR were non-operational. Besides, one of the two planes obtained on lease was available with the operations, the official said.


However, spokesman for the national flag carrier said that the flights schedule was not disturbed as was propagated by some vested interests.

Just two of the planes were going through necessary maintenance and these would be operational in a day or two, he said.

He categorically denied grounding of any aircraft, and said that 10 aircraft were selected for necessary maintenance and all of them are not being overhauled at the same time.
BZUPAGES