Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced substantial reductions in international ticket prices following a Federal Excise Duty (FED) waiver approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The waiver, granted at the request of the Pakistani government, is expected to provide significant financial relief to international travelers, according to state-run APP news agency.
Significant Fare Reductions for International Routes
The FED waiver applies exclusively to international flights, resulting in notable savings for passengers. Travelers flying to the United States can save up to Rs350,000, while those heading to Africa and the Middle East may benefit from reductions of up to Rs105,000. Similarly, passengers traveling to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Far East can expect discounts of up to Rs210,000.
This relief does not extend to domestic flights, which will remain subject to the FED. The move comes as a partial response to the Rs56 billion FED increase imposed on air travel under the 2024 federal budget, aiming to ease the burden for international passengers.
PIA to Resume Flights to Paris in 2025
In a separate development, PIA has confirmed the resumption of its flight operations to Paris starting January 10, 2025. The national flag carrier will initially operate twice-weekly flights from Islamabad to Paris every Friday and Sunday.
The flight schedule has been designed with passenger convenience in mind. Flights will depart from Islamabad at 11:30 AM, landing in Paris by 4:00 PM, while return flights will leave Paris at 6:00 PM and arrive in Islamabad by 5:00 AM the next day.
Boosting PIA’s International Presence
These initiatives signal PIA’s efforts to revitalize its global reach and enhance its competitiveness in the aviation sector. With reduced ticket prices and the resumption of Paris operations, the airline aims to attract more international passengers and strengthen its market position.
