RAHIM YAR KHAN: Two private airlines have shown interest in launching domestic and international (Gulf) flights from the local airport since the PIA has suspended its operations a month ago due to a financial crisis.

Sources say teams of two private airlines visited the airport and met office-bearers of local chamber of commerce.

PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan told Dawn that due to financial constraints, the airlines has restricted its operations.

He said PIA would never close its flight operations from RYK permanently due to its location.

According to him, the airlines will resume operations in April 2024.

Civil Aviation Authority’s Additional Director Media Relations Saifullah did not attend phone calls.

Housing two mega fertiliser plants, three textile mills, five sugar mills and two universities, RYK district offers a significant number of passengers for domestic (for Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad) and Gulf operations due to the presence of large workforce in Saudia and the UAE.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2023