PSO resumes fuel supply to 20 PIA flights amidst ongoing financial woes.

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has restored fuel supply to a total of 20 Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flights, bound for both local and international destinations, following a substantial payment of Rs 84 million by the national carrier. This move comes in the midst of an ongoing financial crisis for PIA, which has been grappling with unpaid dues amounting to hundreds of billions of rupees.

A PIA spokesperson confirmed to the media that due to the suspension of the fuel supply to the airline 77 flights were canceled. The spokesperson noted that 52 international and 29 domestic flights were scheduled on Sunday, of which only 4 flights departed. It added that the PIA administration was in constant touch with the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) as payments could not be made due to bank closure on Sunday.

On Monday, PIA managed to settle its outstanding bills to PSO in two installments. The first payment, amounting to Rs59 million, was promptly made, followed by a second payment of Rs25 million later the same day. After accounting for the weekend deficit, PIA had Rs35.8 million available for its Monday flights.

A spokesperson for PSO disclosed that they had received a total of Rs220 million from PIA for refueling services provided on Saturday and Sunday. PIA had furnished a list of 39 flights scheduled for October 21, 2023, which had been temporarily halted due to unpaid dues.

According to the terms of their agreement, from October 16 to 23, PIA was expected to make daily payments of Rs 920 million against the fuel supplies provided by PSO. Pakistan State Oil, which has set a credit limit for PIA at Rs15 billion, revealed that the airline's current...