PIA to cut freight charges for mango shipments

The Newspaper's Staff Reporter Published June 17, 2020

Freight rates are expected to be lower for export of mangoes to Manchester, London and Frankfurt. — Dawn/File

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has hinted at lowering air freight rates for export of mangoes to Manchester, London and Frankfurt once the national carrier gets confirmed volume, frequency of flights and schedule spelled out.

PIA CEO Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik held a meeting at the airline’s head office with the delegation of Pakistan Fruits and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants (PFVA), led by its Patron-in-Chief Waheed Ahmed on Tuesday.

The national carrier would now quote a relatively lower air freight cost per kg to the mango export consignments compared to foreign players like Emirates and Qatar Airways, Malik assured.

He requested PFVA to submit him details about the confirmed export volume for various destinations, frequency of flights and schedule they desire and the PIA would work out the best possible air freight cost for each route.

Waheed Ahmed said this was a follow-up meeting as per directive of the special committee of the National Assembly on Agriculture.

The meeting also discussed that the national carrier does not have adequate pallets and containers, thereby posing problems to the mango exporters to carry on smooth export.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2020

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Saifullah Syed

Jun 17, 2020 09:47am

A faster decisive action needed because mangoes are short lived, rather than scratching heads to beat the competitors. This would have had done months ago and do not forget Emirates and Ettihad are vultures to Pakistan mangoes export industry. WAKE UP.

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Abdullah

Jun 17, 2020 10:05am

They should even take it for free as the amount of subisdy we give to keep pia float is huge .if stopped and given to mango exporters can do wonders for our agriculture sector.pia needs to be privatised or shut down.

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Tiddi Raja

Jun 17, 2020 12:12pm

PIA is best airline in the world

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Vikas

Jun 17, 2020 03:50pm

Someone will be covering the cost as subsidy otherwise PIA will increase its losses. But then for desperately needed precious foreign exchange it is worth it. Ps: Does Pakistan have fuel for airlines to fly their planes?

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Chrís Dăń

Jun 17, 2020 03:58pm

Good.

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NACParis

Jun 17, 2020 04:06pm

All is possible during tough times. Hopefully PIA will lower the price enough to fill the hold.

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Observer

Jun 17, 2020 06:53pm

This tells Us the importance of your own flag carriers airline. However freight discounts should be calculated to be just enough to beat the competition only. You do not want to give undue advantage either to middlemen or buyers.

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ibrahim S

Jun 17, 2020 07:35pm

And how will offset this cut - the public?

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Syed A. Mateen

Jun 17, 2020 09:37pm

It is astonishing that due to competition with other airlines in the market which fly on the same routes where Pakistani mangos are very much in demand due to its quality and taste, PIA is decreasing its freight charges. On the other hand, PIA is charging exorbitant amount of one way fares to Pakistani nationals who are returning to the country or going out of country after partial PIA special and dedicatedflights have resumed to and from various airports of the country. Behind the logic and as a lay man, I think PIA is reducing freight charges for exporting of mangoes, as magoes dont need "social distancing" during the flights, whereas, human being needs social distancing, and therefore, one seat is left vacant in between the two passengers seats during PIA flights.

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Rashid khan

Jun 17, 2020 10:33pm

ship sweet mangoes demand sweet loans

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Abbas

Jun 18, 2020 04:46pm

I agree , mangoes export & cargo should have been long prior. Our management is slow & late like always sadly . PIA is becoming a Shark poor service & looting in fair price . Sorry but it is my personal experience of long long time .

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