Saudi officials ask PIA to clear dues

Published February 19, 2015
A Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747-300 passenger plane.ùAFP/File
A Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 747-300 passenger plane.ùAFP/File

LAHORE: Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (Gaca) has warned that PIA’s summer schedule will not be approved if its air navigation invoice of 11 million riyals is not cleared.

In a letter to the PIA management, Gaca has stressed the need for early settlement of the dues. In case of non-payment, it says, it may take serious action against PIA, including suspension of the airline’s operation in Saudi Arabia.

PIA spokesman Hanif Rana told Dawn that the amount would be paid in instalments and “there will be no... suspension of the PIA operation in Saudi Arabia over the issue”.

Also read: PIA accused of violating Saudi laws

However, sources in PIA said Gaca had refused to entertain the national flag carrier’s request for ‘part payment’.

“All requests of the PIA management have been turned down by the Saudi authority with a directive to pay the whole amount within a week,” they said.

The airline has a few lucrative business routes and Jeddah is one of them. Earlier, Gaca had penalised PIA over frequent flight delays and cancellations during Haj season at the Jeddah airport. A fine was imposed after PIA’s failure to fulfil its commitment to streamline its operations.

“Schedule lapses and mishandling of passengers at the Jeddah airport were also reported,” the sources said, adding that the Saudi aviation authority had issued notices to PIA for creating disruption by “flight cancellation, mismanagement of flight schedule, creating passenger chaos and over bookings” at Haj terminal of the Jeddah airport.

Published in Dawn February 19th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...