PIA Ends Discounts, Cuts Flights Amid Fuel Cost Surge

Islamabad: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has withdrawn all passenger fare discounts and scaled back its flight operations as rising jet fuel prices continue to strain the airline’s financial stability, according to a report by Dawn.

A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that concessions will now be limited strictly to children and infants, while all other discounts have been discontinued. The decision is part of a broader cost-control strategy aimed at mitigating financial losses caused by increasing fuel expenses.

“The PIA has made a principled decision to end all discounts, with concessions remaining only for children and infants,” the spokesperson said, adding that the move followed a high-level review of escalating fuel costs and projected losses.

Jet fuel (JP-1) prices have surged significantly in recent weeks due to global supply disruptions linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, placing additional pressure on airlines operating across the region.

In response, PIA has reduced flight frequencies and temporarily suspended several international routes. Flights to the United Arab Emirates will be limited to 16 per week, while services to other Gulf countries — except Saudi Arabia — have been suspended until the end of April.

The airline also announced the suspension of its routes to Beijing and Kuala Lumpur, effective April 11 and April 14, respectively.

Officials stated that these measures follow a fourth consecutive increase in jet fuel prices, which has significantly raised operating costs.

“The entire burden of higher fuel prices cannot be passed on to passengers,” the spokesperson noted, emphasizing the need for administrative actions to control financial losses.

Industry experts have raised concerns over the sustainability of airline operations, especially after Arif Habib, chairman of the PIA Consortium, warned of a reported 150 percent increase in fuel costs, further intensifying financial challenges for the national carrier.