LAHORE  - The Pakistan International Airline is operating underload Pakistan-Saudi Arabia flights, thanks to the marketing department
A travel agent said on anonymity, the PIA marketing department has not finalised its Haj fare and flight schedule so far, providing other airlines golden opportunity of having booked a good number of intending pilgrims. “A travel agent having Haj quota of more than 500 pilgrims has booked 400 via Shaheen airlines,” PIA sources said. Moreover, other airlines have also cashing in on PIA’s high Ummrah fare, it has been learnt.
An agent said: “I have issued 16 Ummrah tickets, but no one for PIA because of national airlines high fare.” A senior PIA officer feared that the PIA management might be trying to promote other airlines.  When contacted, PIA spokesman Mashood Tajwar said: “Since the PIA has overhead expenses and operating B-777 planes, its fare are higher than other airlines.
 “We have cancelled our certain flights on said sector due to which our fare is high” he said and added that Haj flights schedule and fare would be shortly announced.