Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has faced a massive loss exceeding Rs21.81 billion, largely due to prolonged aircraft groundings for routine maintenance.
The Auditor General’s report indicates that maintenance for some aircraft extended from forty-four to forty-two days, far beyond the expected timeframe, causing significant operational and financial disruptions for the airline.
The audit found that PIA’s management was alerted to the maintenance delays and their impact as early as September 2012. Despite these warnings, the issue continued, leading to a considerable financial strain.
The report also noted that the management did not provide sufficient documentation to justify the extended groundings or address other financial inconsistencies.
This revelation adds to existing concerns about PIA’s financial management, following previous reports of irregularities amounting to Rs38 billion and 40 crores.
The repeated nature of these issues raises serious doubts about the airline’s operational oversight and financial integrity.
Management officials have cited financial constraints and payment issues as reasons for the delays and financial strain, which have reportedly affected timely repairs and maintenance. However, the audit’s findings challenge the effectiveness of the airline’s management in tackling these critical operational problems.
