PIA cuts Umrah fares amid financial woes

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced an immediate reduction of Rs7,000 in the Umrah fares as the national flag carrier struggles to stay afloat and faces cancellations of bookings.

In a statement issued on Friday, a PIA spokesperson revealed that the two-way Umrah fare from Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, Peshawar, Multan and Faisalabad to Jeddah has been revised to Rs87,000, including tax.

Similarly, the two-way fare from Karachi and Quetta to Jeddah is now Rs79,000.

The new pricing policy is effective immediately.

"The PIA consistently stands at the forefront in facilitating Umrah pilgrims," the spokesperson said.

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The decrease in fares by a total of Rs7,000 comes in the wake of a financial crisis that has seen a substantial number of PIA passengers cancel their tickets.

In a bid to handle the situation, the PIA refunded around Rs50 million to passengers for the sold tickets in recent days.

The national airline has reportedly incurred losses exceeding Rs6 billion due to interruptions in air operations, primarily fuel-related.