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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s national carrier and its largest airline, faced significant disruptions as it had to cancel numerous domestic and international flights. This crisis was triggered by a severe fuel shortage resulting from the non-payment of dues to Pakistan State Oil (PSO). In response to the outstanding debts, PSO halted the supply of fuel to the airline.
Aside from the fuel shortage, operational challenges also contributed to the flight cancellations, as reported by Pakistan’s oldest newspaper, Dawn. On Tuesday, a total of 24 flights were canceled, comprising 11 international and 13 domestic flights. Subsequently, on Wednesday, 16 international flights and 8 domestic flights were canceled, with additional delays experienced in some flights.
The canceled international flights were originally scheduled to fly to prominent destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Kuwait, and Muscat. A spokesperson for PIA, speaking to Dawn, officially confirmed that the cancellations were due to a combination of fuel shortages and operational issues.
In response to this unprecedented situation, PIA took measures to accommodate affected passengers by rebooking them on alternative flights. They also issued guidance, advising passengers to proactively contact the airline or their travel agents to confirm the status of their flights before heading to the airport. The airline is working diligently to address the challenges and minimize disruptions for its passengers.
