ISLAMABAD, Dec 2, 2025: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) suspended its flight operations to Chitral because of a persistent shortage of aircraft coupled with a marked decline in passenger numbers, the federal government informed the Senate.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, while wrapping up discussion on a motion seeking restoration of flights to and from Chitral Airport, said the national carrier had operated ATR aircraft on the route until 2022. At that time, the average passenger load stood at around 64 percent, but the figure later fell to 41 percent, rendering the route financially unsustainable for the airline.
He explained that PIA currently has only two ATR aircraft available for regular operations, a limitation that has significantly curtailed its ability to maintain regional routes such as Chitral.
The minister noted that although a previous effort to privatize PIA did not progress, the privatization process has now resumed, and the concerns raised by senators about restricted flight availability to Quetta would be formally conveyed to the airline’s chief executive.