KARACHI, May 22: The Civil Aviation Authority has suspended domestic and international operations of two private airlines because of non-payment of their dues. CAA Air Transport Director Air Commodore Tahir Ehsan Malik told Dawn that the flight operations of Aero Asia and Shaheen Air had been stopped as they had not cleared their dues for two months.

An Aero Asia spokesman, Ather Ali, however, said the flight operations had been restored as the airline had made a partial payment and undertaken to pay the remaining dues within 10 to 15 days.

He said Aero Asia’s Islamabad-bound flight was delayed for two hours because of stoppage of the operation by the CAA.

“All flights tomorrow will operate according the schedule,” he added.

Sources said the Aero Asia had not paid dues of Rs88 million during the past two months, while Rs56 million dues were outstanding against Shaheen Air.

No official of Shaheen Air was available for comments.