More than 50 flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) were cancelled as the financial crisis of the national flag carrier persists, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Sunday.
A large number of tourists were stranded due to the closure of the PIA’s domestic route. They kept waiting for the PIA flights in Gilgit and Skardu.
After Tourism Minister Wasi Shah took notice, flights to Gilgit were restored, and the PIA made ATR planes functional for Gilgit flights.
Meanwhile, the PIA resumed flights on domestic routes from Islamabad to Gilgit.
PIA flight PK602 flew from Islamabad Airport to Gilgit with an hour’s delay.
According to PIA sources, the national airline will operate 15 flights today.
It is to be noted here that as many as 650 flights of the PIA have been cancelled during the past 13 days.
The national airline has to bear the loss of Rs8.5 billion during the past 13 days due to the cancellation of the flights.
Reporters: Tayyab Saif and Saeed Ahmed