ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Minister for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique told the National Assembly that the losses of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) are being decreased gradually.
The minister apprised the House in writing while replying to a question by Tahira Aurangzeb.
The PIA losses are evident from the following tabulated data:
Khawaja Saad Rafique told that the pace of downward trend in the PIA losses could not be continued during 2021 due to following major reasons:
- Limited flight operation due to restrictions imposed by various countries as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
- Ban on PIA flight operation to Europe by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
- Suspension of Hajj/ Umrah operation by Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Roosevelt Hotel is not functional
To another question by Sikandar Ali Rahoupoto, the aviation minister told that at present, Roosevelt Hotel is not functional for the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic badly affected the business around the world particularly hotel business in the United States during 2020.
Consequently, Roosevelt Hotel‘s occupancy fell from 90% to a single digit. There was left no option with the PIA-Investment Limited except to shut down the hotel to avoid further losses.
Accordingly the hotel was closed in December 2020 with the approval of the Federal Cabinet based on the recommendations of a High-Powered Committee headed by the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission.
