Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continues to face extreme cash crunch resulting in non-payment of salaries to pilots and other airline staff. The airline pilots are planning to take drastic steps like no-show during work hours till their dues are cleared, sources claim.
According to the pilot’s union the government has failed to intervene in the matter resulting in the pilot’s taking thing in their own hands. If the pilot strike goes ahead as planned it could lead to major operational disruption for the airline.
According to local media reports the airline has tax debts amounting to over $1.4bn and has appealed for a government bailout amounting to $157 million to save the cash-strapped carrier.
PIA is currently banned from flying to the European Union, the UK, and the US, resulting in huge revenue losses from unable to operate in major markets. In an attempt to keep its coveted slots at London Heathrow, the airline has leased them to Turkish and Kuwait airlines.