Responding to a question, during Question Hour, the minister
said PIA’s deficit could be reduced with commissioning of new aircraft to the
existing fleet. He said that the government was taking concrete steps to make
the national airlines a profitable organization.
To a supplementary question he said that grounded Fokker
aircraft were sold through open auction.
He said the currently PIA is operating to 37 international
destinations, however, flight operation to Moscow has not been continuing for
last two years due to non-profitable route.
To another question, he said that new Islamabad airport
would be completed by 2013.
The minister said 4300 acres have already been acquired for
Gwadar airport and site protection works including security fence, perimeter
track and watch towers have already been started.
