PIA cuts fares for international flights

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has reportedly announced a reduction in international ticket prices following the approval of a waiver on the Federal Excise Duty (FED) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), state-run news agency APP reported, citing sources in PIA.

The waiver, granted at the request of the Pakistani government, applies exclusively to international flights and is expected to result in significant fare reductions for travelers.

The report, quoting sources within PIA, confirmed that passengers flying to destinations such as the USA could save up to Rs350,000, while those traveling to Africa and the Middle East could see ticket prices drop by as much as Rs105,000.

Passengers flying to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East may benefit from savings of up to Rs210,000.

However, the waiver does not apply to domestic air travel, which will remain subject to the FED.

Notably, the 2024 federal budget had previously imposed an additional Rs56 billion in FED on air travel, and this move partially alleviates that burden for international flights.

Seperately, PIA has finalised arrangements for resuming its flights to Paris, a spokesperson for the national flag carrier said in a statement. The flight operation will commence from January 10, 2025.

Initially, PIA will operate twice a week flights to Paris from Islamabad, every Friday and Sunday with convenient timings, according to the spokesperson.

The flight schedule has been finalised keeping in view passengers convenience. A flight will depart from Islamabad at 11.30am and land in Paris by 4pm. The return flight will depart from Paris at 6pm and arrive in Islamabad at 5am.