Shaheer Ahmed
Pakistan International Airlines once faced one of the worst crises in history. The airlines suffered from a severe lack of funding, and after a series of accidents and serious technical issues, people had completely stopped using PIA for travel.
Since then, PIA had revised its business plans, cut its workforce to bear the ideal employee numbers, and got IATA (International Air Transport Airlines) involved to revive its previously struggling system. As part of one of those revitalizing strategies, PIA is to direct flights to Australia. This initiative is in the phase of planning, but if achieved, will allow the Pakistani airlines to return to their former glory. Currently, the PIA authorities are planning two-week flights to Australia which would reduce the traveling time significantly.
Speaking about how this is a first-time-ever event, Abdullah Hafeez, the PIA spokesperson, said, “If it (PIA flight from Pakistan to Australia) happens, it would be happening for the first time ever. We have run the feasibility study, which says it would be beneficial for the airlines.”
Plans are underway and if everything goes smoothly, PIA may begin directing flights to Australia by late March or early April. The implementation of this plan rests on the approval that PIA has to secure from the Australian Aviation Authority.
The direct flight to Australia will end up reducing the time to 12.30 hours or 13 hours whether one is going to Australia from Pakistan or vice versa.
It is worthy of mention that there are no direct flights between Pakistan and Australia. The indirect flights render the entire journey very long. It takes at least 34 to 35 hours for the entire journey, especially with all the stopovers along the way. Making such an enduring journey is also very tiring for tourists or travelers. Every airline has to reach its hub first and then fly off to the destination.
Recently, the business plan given by IATA covered the years 2022 to 2026 and is focused on making PIA more profitable. If PIA starts directing flights to Australia, the profitable plans of airlines will start getting implemented and this will return them to their former glory.
PIA might return to its former glory
