PIA, private airlines jack up domestic fares

Prior to the Christmas and New Year holidays, domestic airfares have soared on the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) and local independent aircraft.

Details indicate that due to the rise in domestic travel in advance of the Christmas and New Year holidays, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and other private airlines have raised their domestic and international fares.

The cost of a PIA one-way ticket from Karachi to Islamabad has jumped to Rs36,000; a two-way ticket between the same cities now costs Rs70,000.

According to sources, there will probably be a big decrease in prices following the Christmas and winter vacations.

Earlier in December, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) issued instructions to all flight attendants and prohibited the carrying of "chalia and supari" on flights to Turkiye.

Aamir Bashir, general manager of air services for the PIA, published a notification about the prohibition on carrying chalia (areca nuts) on flights to Turkey. Chalia and supari are classified as narcotics under Turkiye's severe regulations.

The notification stated that on the advice of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA), the transportation and consumption of areca nuts (chalia and supari) is prohibited in Turkey. It is considered a controlled substance under Turkish law.