KARACHI: Restoration of PIA flights to European routes after four and a half years has once again opened the doors of pleasure trips for its inefficient officers who does not bother to realise that the airline is a sinking ship overloaded by heavy loans and extra employees running by daily losses due to which the government has already put it on auction table.    

Its flight #PK750 landed in Islamabad on 11th January 2025 as first flight from Paris to Islamabad after the European ban was lifted. The flight operated by a Boeing 777-3 (ER) carried passengers. Earlier PIA's first flight to Paris #PK749 carrying 317 passengers landed safely at CDG Airport Paris, after a gap of more than four years. 11 officials of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) celebrated the resumption of the airline’s flights to Europe. These officials were among the passengers who were onboard the flight from Islamabad to Paris. Those who travelled for free included the national flag carrier’s CEO, director technical, director HR and director commercial. And if that was not enough, they all travelled in the Club Class rather than in the Economy Class. Moreover, the family of one of the officials was also onboard the flight. Speaking at the occasion AVM Amir Hayat CEO PIA said that PIA will operate flights twice a week to Paris from Islamabad - every Friday and Sunday, providing direct air connectivity between Pakistan and France. He highlighted that the first direct flight between Pakistan and France started in 1966. It may be mentioned here that AVM Amir Hayat’s tenure as PIA CEO was concluded upon deputation expiry and Khurram Mushtaq was announced as the acting CEO. Air Vice Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat had to cease to serve as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL) and its holding entity, PIA Holding Company Limited (PIAHCL), following the completion of his deputation tenure from the Pakistan Air Force. The change in leadership had to take effect on December 9, 2024, according to a notice sent to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) by PIA Holding Company Limited. On December 6, PIA appointed senior executive Khurram Mushtaq as acting CEO as the airline prepared to resume flights to Europe following the lifting of a long-standing ban. The development comes in the wake of a failed privatisation attempt in October, during which the airline received only a single offer, falling significantly short of its valuation. PIA’s management continues to face challenges in financial restructuring and operational recovery. PIA’s authorization to operate in the EU was suspended in June 2020 over concerns about the ability of Pakistani authorities and its Civil Aviation Authority to ensure compliance with international aviation standards. According to analysts; in any business when there is a negative sale the business ownership brings their expenses down not add more free trips to their fleets. Senior management takes the lead in controlling by bringing expenses down. But looking at the present Management of PIA it doesn't seems to be any urgency and accountability.

This corporation has the potential to become the most profitable business with huge overseas Pakistani's around the world. If they just focus on these potential travelers they can change the whole balance sheet within year. Can PIA rationalize this free ride issue? What is the need for 11 people to go to check operational issues? The airline is going in loss discontinue free ticket business to all employees, on job or retired.