The Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly was told on Wednesday that PK-713, scheduled to depart for Medina from Islamabad International Airport was delayed due to a torn tyre. Passengers were told to remain seated for two hours while the aircraft stood idle.
Requests for refreshments were denied by cabin crew. Passengers were told refreshments were only served once airborne in line with PIA policy. The flight was later delayed further.
On being grilled by the PAC, PIA officials blamed the inordinate delay on unavailability of a spare tyre at Islamabad international. A spare, therefore, was requisitioned from Lahore. The flight left for Medina after.
PIA Chairman Arshad Malik said the national flag-carrier was still reeling from the aftermath of Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar’s 2020 comments about pilots’ licenses. The PIA chief said the airline was still facing heavy losses with many destinations, including the European Union (EU), still barring PIA flights.