HYDERABAD, Aug 19: Increase in petroleum prices has compelled Pakistan International Airlines to raise its tariff, said Managing Director Capt Haroon Ejaz and rejected reports that its pilgrimage fares are higher than those of the airlines of neighbouring countries.

He advised the pilgrims not to miss flights on return as they had been given boarding cards in advance for their own convenience.

Responding to journalists’ queries at the airport here on Tuesday after sending off 18 passengers through PK-640 from Hyderabad, the MD dismissed reports that PIA’s fare tariff was different to what India, Bangladesh and Malaysia were offering to their pilgrims.

“We have strictly monitored tariffs of other countries and our tariff is at par with theirs. He avoided commenting on people’s reaction to it.

To another query, he said the government cannot indulge in experiments by involving private airlines in such a huge event. Who will take the responsibility if a chaos erupts, he shot back. However, Afghanistan approaches PIA for transportation of pilgrims, he said.

Admitting logistic issues, he said PIA would use jumbo jets in forthcoming Hajj operations. He said there were some problems in PIA’s 737 aircraft which were being addressed to, while order had been placed for Boeing parts.

He said PIA would start flight operations from Dera Ismail Khan while it was trying to overcome the losses. He said with the rise of one dollar in fuel charges, PIA faces a difference of Rs400 million.