No imminent threat to shutdown flight operations in New Delhi: PIA

It was earlier reported that PIA had alleged it was being harassed into closing down over a dispute on property

A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) spokesperson said on Monday that there was no imminent threat to close the airlines’ flight operations in New Delhi.

“PIA is taking all necessary measures to safeguard and protect its assets,” the spokesperson said.

A day ago, it was reported that the airline had alleged it was being harassed into shutting down its operations in India.

The dispute over the legality of the PIA office has been ongoing for two months now. The national flag carrier has been maintaining its offices and business in Delhi for more than three decades.

In fact, in 2005, PIA had acquired immoveable property in New Delhi for the purpose of running its offices, and had completed all necessary formalities for the acquisition of these properties, a PIA press release stated.

However, after a period of over nine years, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in a letter – dated November 24, 2014 -- objected that PIA has purchased the properties without permission.

PIA North India Manager Saeed Ahmad Khan, however, said the airline had been running its office out of the premises since 2005 when it was purchased. “We are at a loss to understand why they are acting now. How will we operate without our marketing and sales offices,” he was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Regarding the properties, PIA was served a notice by both RBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

PIA operates a weekly flight to Lahore and Karachi from Delhi and twice to Karachi from Mumbai.