PIA expects full recovery in 2nd half of 2021 Hopes flights boost will help turn around airline’s financial performance KARACHI: State-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has expressed high expectations about a full-fledged return to the skies in the second half (Jul-Dec) of 2021 after most of its aircraft were grounded in the wake of Covid-19 outbreak in the country in February 2020. The loss-making airline has voiced hope that a boost to its flight operations will help turn around its financial performance. The company has held negotiations with financial institutions for rescheduling its loans, returned a couple of leased aircraft to foreign firms and slashed its workforce by 1,900-2,000 employees (or 14%) by offering them voluntary separation scheme (VSS).