Leading by example: PIA chairman takes last seat on a plane

Jaffer was travelling to Karachi from Lahore on PK-305 after attending the high-profile inauguration of Multan Airport


Our Correspondent March 10, 2015
Jaffer was travelling to Karachi from Lahore on PK-305 after attending the high-profile inauguration of Multan Airport. PHOTO: INP

KARACHI:


Pakistan International Airlines Chairman Nasser NS Jaffer set a new precedent on Monday, becoming the first head of the often-criticised national carrier to board a flight as last passenger who got the worst seat in the last row.


Jaffer was travelling to Karachi from Lahore on PK-305 after attending the high-profile inauguration of Multan Airport when he chose to wait for all the passengers to get on board and then preferred to sit in last row, on seat 33C, said the airline crew.

Read: PM Nawaz Sharif inaugurates new terminal at Multan International Airport

“He spoke with people around him and asked them how they feel about traveling with PIA,” said an airline official. “Obviously the crew was trying its best to please him.” While the PIA chairman was satisfied with the overall service of the airline, he did not like the meal, said the official.





Jaffer, a leading businessman who also heads his family-controlled Jaffer Group of Companies, has a habit of observing the service delivery aspects of the airline himself. Employees say he often goes to the airport early in the morning to mingle with passengers or just to see how the airline staff at check-in counters behave.



Read: Flights of fancy

The government had a tough time convincing him to join the airline, which has suffered from multiple controversies in the past. PIA has one of the most bloated staffs in the world. With 18,338 employees, PIA has an employee-aircraft ratio of 690, compared to a global average of around 150 employees per aircraft.


PHOTO COURTESY: PAKISTAN TODAY


Published in The Express Tribune, March 10th, 2015.

COMMENTS (32)

zahoor Shah | 9 years ago | Reply I have read all comments of respectable people above. We should give the new Chairman PIA Mr nasser Jaffer the fair chance of turning around the airline. With his experience and good deeds he can do that.
AA | 9 years ago | Reply @Pity: That would mean giving "Golden Handshakes" to 90%!
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