Govt. making efforts to improve financial health of PIA: NA told.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Aviation Division Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Monday informed the National Assembly that the government was making efforts to overcome financial losses of Pakistan international Airlines.

Responding to a question during question hour he said, PIA had been able to improve its performance by reducing losses.

He said all the routes having losses had been suspended and PIA was planning to operate only on routes having financial benefit.

He said out of 32 aircrafts, only 13 were owned by PIA while rest had been take on lease, adding the PIA was also planning to take more aircraft on lease.

He said the financial health of the PIA had much improved as compared to past due to the present management.

The minister said a total of 32 PIA aircrafts were operating at various domestic and international routes.

The major reason behind PIA's losses is due to loans of previous governments and rising mark ups and debt servicing, he added.

Presently, he said PIA operates to 43 destinations including 25 international and 18 domestic. The number of passengers registered an increase upto 24.55 % over the year.

The minister said, National Aviation Policy (NAP) had been approved by the...