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KLM to cease operations to Pakistan from March 26

MEHMUD AHMED

ISLAMABAD: The Royal Dutch Airlines, the KLM has informed its agents and clients that it will be ceasing operations to Pakistan from March 26 next.

This will be the second European Airline to stop operating to Pakistan in recent years. The first was the German Airlines, Lufthansa, which terminated its operations some 18 months ago.

The KLM has been operating directly between Karachi and Amsterdam with easy onward connections to Europe and Americas. It had a larger network to serve in United States because of its pool-contracts with North West Airlines of America.

The KLM had three flights weekly to Karachi for several decades.

Similarly PIA had operated between Karachi and Amsterdam and then onward to New York.

In recent years Pakistan rescheduled its operations to North America via Shannon (Ireland) instead of Frankfurt, Paris or Amsterdam.

The Dutch Airlines officials here did not specify the reasons for the closure of airlines' operations to Pakistan but it is understood that they have problems with the State Bank of Pakistan in repatriating its earnings from here.

The Lufthansa had the same difficulties and had raised objections to the high tariff for landing and handling at the Jinnah Terminal as well as the prices of the jet fuel. They found the prices at Dubai more competititve and services more efficient there as well as the management attentive to their difficulties.

An added attraction at Dubai continues to be glittering the Duty Free Shop which has varieties to offer in electronics, books, toys, jewellery, cosmetics, watches, cameras wearing apparel, latest fashions in footwear and garments and above all the tobacco and beverages shop.

On the contrary the Karachi Airport's Duty free shop has failed to develop because of several reasons. The Irish joint venture has always complained that promises made to it at the time of signing the contract were not honoured by the Civil Aviation and also the Government of Nawaz Sharif, despite his personal visit to their premises and assurances, sat over proposals it had made for its expansion. Their suggestions included a permit to import and sell liquor for foreign travelers.