‘Restructured’ PIA starts functioning

Move aimed at ensuring transparency in national flag carrier’s affairs

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has designated the newly set-up positions of departmental ‘chiefs’ to nine different departments while some key slots now perform duties independently of any administrative check, and report directly to the board of directors (BoD).

Documentary details available with The Express Tribune suggest that the Chief Internal Auditor (CIA) and company secretary are now discharging responsibilities outside any administrative regulations and report directly to the PIA’s BoD in an apparent bid to ensure transparency.

The position of chief executive officer (CEO) functions under the oversight of the BoD even though the CEO is empowered to make key administrative decisions concerning the airline.



The documents suggest that the positions of ‘legal adviser’ and ‘general manager public affairs’ report directly to the CEO and not to any department concerned.

The nine departments of the national airline are being headed by the chiefs, which were previously headed by directors. As per the new arrangement, the chief operating officer (COO) heads the departments of flight operations, crew training, scheduling, security and inventory, chief pilot, central control, medical services, health services, trainings, food services and flight services.

The chief commercial officer heads the departments of commercial, revenue management, network planning, market planning, sales, Pax sales, industry affairs, Cargo and Speedex, brand, customer service and customer related procurement.

The chief technical officer heads planning, base maintenance, line maintenance, quality assurance, MRO and airworthiness. The chief financial officer heads revenue accounting, budget, funds management and general accounting.

The chief human resource officer heads HR management, works, coordination and related departments.



The chief corps development heads fleet planning, corps planning, research and development. chief/senior general manager supply chain management heads procurement, logistics and inventory.

The chief information officer (CIO)/senior general manager heads database, network administration, IT applications and cyber security whereas chief/general manager Safety and Quality Assurance (S&QA) is yet to be assigned the related departments.

According to personnel order number 025/2017 issued by Acting CEO Bernd Hildenbrand, in line with the restructuring process, PIA has made adjustments on important positions.

Captain Uzair Khan has been appointed as PIA’s chief flight operations; Raheel Ahmad, executive director (HR) is re-titled as chief human resource officer following the new arrangement put in place after restructuring.

Nayyar Hayat will continue as chief financial officer. Director Safety Management Captain Naveed Aziz is re-titled as Chief Safety and Quality Assurance.

Director MRO Amir Ali has been posted as chief technical officer. GM Fleet Planning Zulfiqar Ahmed Sheikh is appointed as chief corporate development.



The functions of the chief commercial officer would be looked after by the acting CEO “till the appointment of a full time CCO”, the notification says.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, GM Public Affairs, PIA, Danyal Gilani said the restructured arrangement has been put in place with immediate effect and the personnel assigned the new portfolios have started working.

“The related posts are already there which have been restructured and related postings have been made. The postings on other positions would follow, accordingly,” he said.

According to a statement issued by the PIA, Prime Minister’s Aviation Adviser Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan said that “major restructuring of PIA has been done on modern lines and airline’s management is being made lean and smart in order to improve its efficiency and to breathe a new life to the airline. The PIA, which remained a leader in the aviation industry, must work as a commercial company with corporate structure and culture.”

Mehtab shared these views during a meeting with renowned businessman and former PIA BoD member Arif Habib.

A source close to Habib told The Express Tribune that the aviation adviser wanted Habib to re-join the PIA BoD and he repeated this offer to the business tycoon during the meeting.

However, Habib has yet to make a final decision but assured the adviser that he would assist him “as much as possible” to address the worst financial condition PIA faces today.

The federal government has been mulling over several options in a bid to improve the deteriorated standards of PIA. These include rightsizing, privatisation and other cost-cutting measures.