Pakistan's Economic Coordination Committee (EEC) has approved increasing the government guarantee for PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad International) by PKR15 billion Pakistani rupees (USD53.6 million). Last week, ch-aviation reported on the proposed increase, along with another PKR29 billion (USD103.7 million) in financial assistance the state-owned airline has requested.

To date, PIA had secured government guarantees of PKR248 billion (USD887 million) but they are fully utilized and the airline had said it need the additional guarantees to secure further loans to keep the it airborne. The EEC meeting, chaired by Pakistan's Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, was held on April 13, 2023.

Meanwhile, Saudi airport authorities have sent out final notices to several airlines, including PIA, regarding USD40 million in unpaid airport fees. Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has threatened to suspend landing rights unless the arrears are paid. Saudi Arabia is a major market for PIA, with the carrier providing approximately 45,000 seats a week on 24 routes between the two countries.