Saudi Arabia threatens to stop PIA flights

[Vaqar Khan]

According to ARY News Saudi Civil Aviation authorities have issued a notice to PIA threatening to stop PIA flights from 17 April 2014 (tomorrow) due to non payment of dues.

[Abbas Ali]

Related news reports.

the operations of PIA to Jeddah are in serious danger of suspension over non-payment of long outstanding dues to the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia by the national airline.

According to the source, King Abdul Aziz International Airport (KAIA) authorities have conveyed to the management of PIA a strict warning of President GACA that if the airline fails to clear its long outstanding dues they will not allow it to operate flights to Saudi Arabia.

'They gave last warning to PIA and clearly ordered not to schedule any flight to Jeddah if dues are not settled soon. They are removing the PIA flights from KAIA's system and could only allow them if the management clears the dues for 2012,' said the source.

The source further said that PIA has to pay outstanding amount regarding parking and rental charges which is covered under Royal decree. 'PIA management has to clear the amount on immediate basis due to the sensitivity of the issue. If they fail, PIA operations will surely be suspended for Saudi Arabia,' added the source.

PIA, the source further said, has also to pay old dues besides current charges. 'The management has been asked to settle old dues as well, particularly payment of disputed invoice (02-12-26-90033) dated December 19, 2005, amounting to SA Riyals of 443160 for excess parking charges.'

Source: http://www.brecorder.com/business-a-eco ... 9/1173229/

KARACHI: As a final warning to the Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation sent a notification to PIA regarding non-payment of dues worth millions of rupees, Express News reported on Wednesday.

According to the notification, PIA flights will be stopped from April 17 onwards if the dues were not paid.

Sources said that the dues owed to the Saudi aviation also include 500,000 riyals from year 2005.

PIA has been suffering losses worth billions since many years and its accumulated dues have been on the rise. The national airline had recorded cumulative losses of Rs141 billion from 2002 to 2012.

The PIA had also suffered financial losses to the tune of Rs401 million in Hajj operations 2012.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/696310/unpa ... a-flights/

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

PIA Clarification

Karachi, April 16, 2014: PIA is continuing its flight operations to Saudi Arabia and as such there is no question of any disruption of flights due to parking payments to civil aviation authority of Saudi Arabia as aired by a section of TV news channels, PIA spokesman said here on Wednesday.

Parking payments to civil aviation authorities world over is a continuous and ongoing process not only for PIA but for all airlines and does not result in stoppage of flight operations.

PIA spokesman said that a section of electronic media had been giving the impression in the news that PIA flights to Saudi Arabia may be disrupted due to accrued payments which is not only false but misleading and tantamount to tarnish and damage the image of PIA.

The factual position is that PIA pays for parking aircraft to civil aviation authorities at different airports in different countries and is doing payments to Saudi civil aviation authority as well. However, the said small amount which relates to year 2004 concerning parking charges is under dispute and being settled with the authorities. This, he said has been blown out of proportion by a section of electronic media.

Media is requested to desist from airing such type of news before it is verified by PIA as it not only brings a bad name to the national flag carrier but also affects the airline’s sales and passengers’ confidence, PIA spokesman concluded.

Source: PIA Press Release (April 16, 2014)

[Moin]

I don't think there is much left to be said that can repair the decades of damage that has already been done.

[Vaqar Khan]

According to a news report in the Dawn, the issue of unpaid bills by PIA has cropped up again with Saudi Civil Aviation authorities threatening not to approve PIAs summer schedule.

http://www.dawn.com/news/1164532/saudi- ... clear-dues