Upgradation work underway at Sukkur Airport to make it an international facility
Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation
Zeb Jaffar informed the National Assembly on Wednesday that the government is
actively working to upgrade Sukkur Airport to international standards,
including enhancements to its runway infrastructure.
During the National Assembly’s
question hour, Jaffar stated that the development of Sukkur into an
international airport is a key priority. She emphasized that Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA), as a state-owned enterprise, must align its
operations with international market dynamics to remain sustainable. This
includes accounting for fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and operational
costs.
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Responding to a query from MNA Haji Jamal Kakakhel regarding high airfare from Quetta, Jaffar assured that the matter would be reviewed. Addressing a supplementary question from MNA Alia Kamran, she noted that airfares generally rise during Eid and other festive seasons due to increased demand across all modes of transportation.
Jaffar also highlighted PIA’s recent
return to profitability, reporting earnings exceeding Rs 26 billion. She added
that efforts are ongoing to build on this performance and further improve the
national carrier’s financial standing.
In response to a question from MNA
Zartaj Gul, the parliamentary secretary said that in areas where PIA does not
operate, private airlines have been licensed to ensure air travel accessibility
for residents.
She clarified that PIA does not
offer complimentary travel services, except for concessional fares provided to
employees’ families.
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Providing an update on fleet composition, Jaffar said PIA currently operates 19 aircraft: six Boeing 777s, eleven Airbus A320s, and a number of ATR turboprops.
She reaffirmed that transforming
Sukkur Airport into an international facility remains a government priority,
with runway upgrades already underway.
Source: APP