KARACHI – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has initiated a comprehensive monitoring system for non-revenue passengers and government agency officials traveling on 100 percent free tickets, according to a recent notification issued by the national flag carrier.
The move comes as part of PIA’s efforts to address financial losses attributed to unauthorized and unregulated use of complimentary tickets.
The management of PIA has introduced a procedural framework to govern the travel of non-revenue passengers and government agency officials on complimentary tickets. The key provisions of the new procedure include the assignment of a dedicated counter for such passengers at both domestic and international terminals. This counter will exclusively handle all non-revenue tickets, including the 100 free tickets allocated to government agencies.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the airline has mandated the insertion of remarks about photo ID checks for these passengers in the comments field of the HITIT system during the check-in process. Additionally, the Passenger Number (P-No) or employee number of PIA staff must be recorded in the comments field for future reference. Similar documentation is required for government officials traveling on complimentary tickets.
Following the generation of boarding cards, the cards for PIA employees will be stamped with an “NR” stamp, signifying non-revenue travel, while cards for government agencies will be stamped with a “GR” stamp. The stamps will be dispatched to stations through the KHIWBPK channel, with stations confirming receipt and ensuring 100 percent compliance with the directives.
To reinforce adherence to the new measures, spot checks will be conducted by PIA management. In the event of non-compliance, the station head will be held responsible for any breaches of the established procedures.
PIA, like many other airlines globally, has been grappling with financial challenges exacerbated by activities such as unauthorized use of complimentary tickets. The implementation of these new measures is expected to contribute significantly to curbing financial losses associated with non-revenue passengers and complimentary ticket misuse.
The move demonstrates PIA’s commitment to financial prudence and effective management of its resources. As the airline navigates its financial challenges, the introduction of stricter monitoring procedures is anticipated to yield positive outcomes in terms of cost control and operational efficiency. The national flag carrier is keen on restoring financial stability and improving its overall performance in the aviation industry.
