The first aircraft will be delivered by next week, while the rest in following months. PHOTO: AFP
The contract was signed by PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand, Sri Lankan Airlines chairman Ajith Dias and CEO Captain Suren Ratwatte, during a ceremony held in Colombo today, a press release issued by the national airline read.
PIA's premier service set to take off
"The contract has materialised after a series of negotiations between the two sides. The first aircraft will be delivered during the next week, while the rest in following months."
PIA CEO, Mr. Bernd Hildenbrand signs lease contract for three A-330s with SriLankan Airlines ✈️. @flysrilankan pic.twitter.com/XZ7IlXhUGm
— Digi Fusion (@DigiFusion24) July 29, 2016
The press release also stated that the Airbus A330 planes are in 'brand new' condition and will be used for PIA's premier service for its passengers, thus allowing PIA to start regaining its market share.
The premier service is set to launch on August 14 and will initially only operate in London. According to the statement, there will be six weekly premier service flights to London, including three from Islamabad and three from Lahore. Later, with an addition of more planes, the service will be expanded to other destinations as well.
Earlier, during an interview, PIA chairman Azam Sehgal said, “The premium service will better facilitate our customers.”
Further, in order to address frequent grievances of passengers regarding the unprofessional attitude of the staff, the airline has decided to arrange a three-week training of its staff.
New uniform of #PIAPremier cabin crew unveiled. Premier service set to start on 14th August. pic.twitter.com/W2F3C1j7XG
— Digi Fusion (@DigiFusion24) July 28, 2016
PIA’s seventy-year-long descent
A special team of trainers has arrived in Karachi from Sri Lanka which will train the PIA staff and its cabin crew for three weeks. “We will also train our cabin crew members who directly deal with the passengers. For this purpose, foreign trainers have arrived in Karachi,” Sehgal said.
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