Pakistan International Airlines Aircraft Grounded

Pakistan International Airlines has become the latest airline forced to ground a substantial amount of aircraft in the ongoing wake of part shortages.

PIA, for short, has 32 aircraft, according to the latest fleet data. However, 15 are said to be parked and thus inactive at this time.

Sources state that 17 of the 34 aircraft they have, more than data websites, are currently grounded because of an inability to source the required parts to operate safely.

The aircraft affected are the Boeing 777s, with seven of these units parked to try and cope, resulting in a damaged long-haul operation as these planes are their only high-capacity ones.

Meanwhile, the Airbus A320 family are also affected, with seven jets parked, and even for more regional flying, the ATR aircraft are impacted, and some units are not operational.

Unfortunately for Pakistan International Airlines, it isn’t just engine difficulties that necessarily impact their ability to fly specific aircraft like what is being felt for other major airlines.

Instead, it cannot secure landing gears, APUs, engines, and other essential components. On top of that, it makes it hard to ensure an aircraft is genuinely working in the manner it should.

PIA states that while ongoing supply chain difficulties exist, this isn’t the carrier’s only problem. These shortages are primarily driven by a lack of funds from ministers and more.

Whether it’s the resumption of service to key markets or the continued reactivation of aircraft, the financial status of Pakistan International Airlines has been difficult of late, and these groundings are not aiding that.

Therefore, the situation at PIA remains very different from that of most airlines. Several carrier’s that are seeing their fleet grounded is driven by troubles at engine manufacturers, however, for PIA this is different.

While supply chain disruptions certainly have affected the airline equally, there’s been a struggle financially, which has impacted its ability to rectify the matter even slightly.