Pakistani International Airlines (PIA) announced suspension of all flights to AZ Gilgit, Skard and other destinations in the region. The sudden decision raised concerns between locals and tourists who are strongly relying on an air journey to access to these distant, mountain regions, today reported on business.
Gilgit and Skard serve as critical gates to the northern territory that have a limited road infrastructure and demanding terrain. Sudden stopping of the service is important logistics challenges, and land routes are often unreliable due to weather conditions, long travel duration and poor road quality.
The PIA has not issued an official explanation of suspension, but the sources in the aviation sector suggest that the step is part of a wider effort for restructuring. The national carrier was under serious financial stress, which made it reduce less profitable or operational routes. The suspension is expected not only to affect the mobility of passengers, but also to the transport of goods, basic supplies and economic activities focused on tourism in affected areas.
Development emphasizes the fragile nature of air connectivity in the Pakistan northern belt and raises new questions about the PIA operational strategy. From now on, no private airline has entered the gap, and due to the high operating costs and infrastructure restrictions, the entry of other carriers remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, the airline is also struggling to disrupt its international network due to the recent airspace tension with India. At the beginning of this month, Pakistan closed his air space on Indian flights, which led to a redirecting of several services. As a result, the PIA began to redirect international flights through Chinese air space, which led to longer flight times and increased fuel costs.
The first redirected flight, Lahore to Kuala Lumpur, took off this week with more than 120 passengers on board and mapped a new aircraft over China. According to Karachi, this is part of a greater strategic shift, which aims to ensure surgical continuity in grading of diplomatic voltage with India and safety concerns along the inspection (LOC) in Kashmir.
Double disruption – domestic suspension in the north and redirected international services – floats combined PIA operational pressures that seek to maintain the reliability of services in the middle of economic restrictions and geopolitical heads.
(Tagstotranslate) Pakistani International Airlines (T) Pakistan occupied Kashmir (T) POK regions
