Islamabad: The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that the government is actively working to upgrade Sukkur Airport to meet international standards, including improvements to its runway infrastructure.
Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Zeb Jaffar, responding during the National Assembly’s question hour, stated that Sukkur’s transformation into an international airport is a key priority. She emphasized that ongoing work includes the enhancement of runway facilities to accommodate larger aircraft and international operations.
Jaffar noted that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), as a state-owned carrier, must operate in alignment with international market dynamics. This includes taking into account foreign exchange rates and operational costs to ensure the airline’s long-term sustainability.
Addressing concerns raised by MNA Haji Jamal Kakakhel regarding high airfare from Quetta, Jaffar assured that the matter would be reviewed. She also responded to a supplementary question by MNA Alia Kamran, acknowledging that airfares generally rise during Eid and other festive seasons due to increased demand across all transportation sectors.
Highlighting PIA’s recent performance, Jaffar said the national carrier has returned to profitability, earning over Rs 26 billion. She added that further efforts are underway to strengthen this financial turnaround.
In response to a question from MNA Zartaj Gul, Jaffar explained that private airlines have been granted licenses to operate in areas where PIA does not offer services, ensuring broader accessibility for travelers.
She also clarified that PIA does not provide free travel facilities, except for concessional fares offered to employees’ families.
Currently, PIA’s fleet comprises 19 aircraft, including six Boeing 777s, eleven Airbus A320s, and a few ATRs, supporting both domestic and international operations.
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