Business Desk 
May 14, 2025
The federal government is working on expanding Sukkur Airport to international standards, with significant work already in progress on its runway, as per the latest reports reported in the National Assembly.
Parliamentary Secretary for Aviation Zeb Jaffar indicated on Wednesday during the Assembly's question hour that the government is looking to make Sukkur an international travel hub.
She informed that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national airline, is also being brought in line with international market practices so that it remains financially viable, particularly taking into account increasing operating expenses and variable foreign exchange rates.
The secretary was answering a query raised by MNA Haji Jamal Kakakhel, who pointed out the matter of high airfares from cities such as Quetta.
Zeb Jaffar promised that these grievances would be looked into. She also admitted that fares generally go up during Eid and festival times due to increased travel demand in all modes of transportation.
Replying to MNA Alia Kamran, Jaffar stated that PIA has turned profitable again, recently making more than Rs26 billion.
Notably, the government is now emphasising increasing this development through improved services and strategic routes.
For those places where PIA does not operate, licences have been given to private airlines to provide air travel with more accessibility, she further replied while responding to MNA Zartaj Gul.
Elaborating on travel cost issues, Jaffar explained that PIA never provides free travel except to employees' families on concessional tickets.
Moreover, she added that making Sukkur Airport a full-fledged international airport is a top agenda, and runway upgrading is an important part of it.
Currently, the PIA fleet contains 19 planes, such as Boeing 777s, Airbus A320s, and ATRs.
