PIA Engineering Operations: A Financial Black Hole
The recent audit report from the Auditor General of Pakistan has raised some serious red flags about Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). Imagine losing over Rs22 billion due to poor management of engineering operations—well, that’s exactly what the report has flagged. It’s startling news for an airline that is already struggling to find its footing.
So, what led to these staggering losses? The report pinpoints two main issues. Firstly, a colossal loss of over Rs14 billion stems from grounded aircraft, particularly six Boeing 777s and two leased ATR-72 planes. These planes have been stuck on the ground for far too long, primarily due to maintenance delays and the inefficient handling of faulty engines. In fact, some of these aircraft were grounded as far back as March 2020.
But that’s not all. An additional Rs6 billion vanished into thin air because of 25 permanently grounded aircraft engines that were neither reused nor disposed of in a timely manner. As anyone in the aviation industry knows, timely maintenance and proper asset management are crucial. Unfortunately, PIA seems to have faltered on both fronts.
And here’s another kicker: the airline has coughed up around Rs3 billion to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regarding these grounded aircraft. Not to mention the mounting parking charges! This isn’t the first time these issues have been highlighted; they date back to an earlier audit covering 2008 to 2017.
Interestingly enough, there was supposed to be a Departmental Accounts Committee (DAC) meeting in January 2025 to address these concerns, but it never happened. This raises questions about the accountability and transparency within PIA and whether corrective action will ever be taken.
As a large segment of the population relies on PIA for travel, these financial discrepancies not only reflect poor management but also impact public trust significantly. Improving maintenance schedules and ensuring timely disposal of decommissioned assets could make a world of difference.
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