PIA scales back flights and withdraws discounts after jet fuel price surge

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines has withdrawn all passenger discounts except those available for children and infants, and has also reduced parts of its flight schedule after a continued increase in jet fuel prices, the national carrier’s spokesperson said on Monday.

According to the spokesperson, the airline took the decision after jet fuel, or JP-1, became significantly more expensive in recent weeks amid global supply chain uncertainty linked to the US-Israel war on Iran.

He said, “The PIA has made a principled decision to end all discounts, with concessions remaining only for children and infants.”

The spokesperson said a strategy was worked out during a high-level meeting to deal with rising fuel costs and the possibility of financial losses for the airline.

As part of the measures, PIA will limit its operations to the United Arab Emirates to 16 flights a week. He further said, “The carrier is also going to suspend flight to Gulf countries, with the exception of the UAE and Saudi Arabia, until the end of April.”

The airline will also halt flights to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur from April 11 and April 14, respectively, the spokesperson said.

He said, “The PIA management has taken these decisions in view of the fourth consecutive increase in jet fuel prices.” He added that the full impact of the fuel price increase could not be transferred to passengers, which is why the airline had to take what he described as strict administrative steps.

The spokesperson said he hoped international fuel prices would stabilise soon, after which the affected routes would be restored.

Fuel costs and operational pressure

The latest measures come as the national flag carrier faces mounting pressure from higher operating costs. Last week, PIA Consortium Chairman Arif Habib warned about the sustainability of the airline’s operations after what he described as a 150 per cent increase in jet fuel rates.

He had called on the government to reverse the increase, saying the sharp rise had raised serious concerns for the airline’s ability to continue operating under the existing cost structure.

The spokesperson’s remarks on Monday indicate that PIA has now moved to cut costs through route suspensions, reduced frequencies and the withdrawal of most fare concessions, while keeping limited relief in place for children and infants.

The decisions affect both regional and international operations, including services to Gulf destinations other than the UAE and Saudi Arabia, as well as flights to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur. The airline has linked all of these steps to the continued rise in jet fuel prices.