KUALA LUMPUR: A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plane was held back at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport today over non-payment of aircraft lease dues, a Pakistan-based newspaper reported.

This is the second time a passenger aircraft operated by the Pakistani national carrier was impounded by the authorities here, following the first incident two years ago.

In the recent incident, it was reported that the Boeing 777 aircraft - bearing the registration number BMH - was seized following an order issued by a Malaysian court over unpaid duties amounting to US$4 million.

The recent seizure, the report said, also marks the continuation of a series of legal challenges and financial difficulties faced by PIA, which was compounded by the adverse economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

At press time, the New Straits Times is still pursuing comments and confirmation from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

In 2021, Malaysian authorities seized the same aircraft due to a British court case over the jet's lease.

A PIA official, at the time said, the case involved a US$14 million lease dispute.

The aircraft was later released following diplomatic assurances regarding the non-payment of the lease

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/914976/reports-pia-aircraft-held-back-klia-over-lease-dispute