PAKISTAN: An audit into Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has revealed that between 2011 and 2016, the airline issued more than 258,000 free tickets and 116,000 heavily discounted tickets. This practice, aimed at employees, officials, and certain associates, led to losses estimated at Rs 9.43 billion.
The revelations came as part of a broader review of the airline’s operations, shedding light on long-standing practices that strained its already struggling finances. Critics argued that such giveaways undermined PIA’s profitability and contributed to its mounting debt burden.
In response to mounting public pressure and judicial scrutiny, the Supreme Court of Pakistan banned the free and discounted ticket policy in 2018, effectively ending the practice. Since then, PIA has faced ongoing challenges to restore financial stability and improve its reputation.
The audit’s findings underscore how internal perks, if unchecked, can severely impact a state-run enterprise’s bottom line. Aviation analysts note that eliminating such policies was a necessary step toward reform but warn that deeper structural changes are still required for PIA to regain competitiveness.
