Pakistani airlines may face fines after repeated delays of Umrah flights, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) warned in a formal letter to Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The letter highlighted that international regulations require flights to maintain an on-time arrival rate of at least 80 percent, while most Pakistani carriers are currently falling short of this benchmark.
According to the letter, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) recorded a 69 percent on-time rate, AirBlue 65 percent, AirSial 46 percent, FlyJinnah 43 percent, and SereneAir only 37 percent during recent Umrah operations.
GACA emphasized that the situation must be rectified immediately to avoid further penalties, noting that persistent delays could disrupt travel schedules and affect the credibility of Pakistani airlines internationally.
The letter, addressed by the President of Saudi GACA to Pakistan’s DG Civil Aviation, warned that fines could be imposed if on-time performance does not improve promptly in the upcoming weeks.
Officials in Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority have been asked to coordinate with the airlines and implement corrective measures to ensure timely departures and arrivals, particularly during the ongoing peak Umrah season.
The warning has raised concerns among airlines, which are now working to optimize scheduling, improve operational efficiency, and prevent potential financial penalties from Saudi authorities.