Link to Article: https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/pakistan-airlines-suspends-afghan-operations-citing-taliban-interference-1864832-2021-10-14
Summary: Recently Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) have suspended all flights to Kabul the Afghan capital, on Thursday. The reason being they had “heavy handed interference” from The Taliban authorities this includes sudden rule change and intimidation of staff. The final straw for Pakistan International Airlines was the order from Taliban Government to cut ticket prices heavily. Since the Taliban rule no airlines other than PIA have been flying into Afghanistan this ups ticket prices significantly making a ticket to Islamabad 2,500$ as opposed to the previous 120-150$ price beforehand. PIA worries for the future of Taliban rule and how it will affect them and their flights. There has been a heavy demand for flights out because of repeated problems at land border crossings into Pakistan.
Analysis: The leadership of the Taliban has been getting worse and worse for the people of Afghanistan. They have made relations with other countries and now they are destroying their relations with the only company still willing to fly to their country. This not only negatively affects the airlines but also the economy and people of Afghanistan. With problems with the passport offices on the ground, air is the only way for afghans to leave the country and this ability was taken from them by their leadership in the Taliban. If these types of problems continue other countries should get involved to help the people of Afghanistan.
How this relates to class: This shows the relationship between a government and an MNC. Pakistan International Airlines is the last group of airlines that still offers its services to a Taliban ruled Afghanistan. Because of high demand for the flights Pakistan International Airlines as all businesses would increase the price. This didn’t sit well with the Taliban and they said that they have to lower the prices. This along with the mistreatment of staff caused the Pakistan International Airlines to suspend flights to Kabul. This hurts both parties involved but especially Afghanistan as they no longer has commercial airlines.