Business

'PIA suffers a lot from open skies policy’

No further rights will be given to foreign carriers without proper justification

Our Correspondent July 21, 2017

Pakistan International Airline carriers. PHOTO: FAISAL MOIN/EXPRESS

KARACHI: Adviser to Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan said on Thursday Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had suffered a lot due to a “friendly open skies policy”.

“No foreign country or foreign airline will be granted any additional rights without proper justification,” Khan said while speaking to participants of PIA’s Marketing Conference 2017, according to a PIA statement.

PIA passengers can now check in online

“PIA can only succeed with full support and joint efforts of all employees and they should take full ownership of their organisation,” he emphasised.

However, there is a need to eradicate favouritism and promote merit in all spheres of the national flag carrier.

PIA has to fill in the demand gap that exists in the market and must have the capacity and right product mix. The air carrier must expand its network to cater to the demand gap. “I know competition is very tough due to no equal playing field,” he said.

Khan praised the PIA management, especially CEO Nayyar Hayat, for bringing “improvements in the airline”.

He believed that the airline was moving in the right direction and would soon reach new heights.

PIA attempting to use outdated aircraft for Hajj operations

Earlier, Hayat emphasised the need for PIA to adopt a new business model and said technological advancements should be incorporated at a faster pace to make it convenient for the passengers.

He voiced hope that “the airline is on the path of a turnaround and very soon we will be out of the difficult phase.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 21^st, 2017.

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COMMENTS (2)

Irfan_Sydney | 7 years ago | Reply @Amir: Why did your family choose PIA over other airlines to travel to Canada? What you mentioned about PIA service was not a bit surprising for me. Their service quality either in the economy or in business class is not hidden from anyone , only surprising fact in your post was choosing to fly through PIA to Canada. I have never travelled through PIA in the last 25 years of my international travel and I don't think I will ever fly through PIA. even for free.

Amir | 7 years ago | Reply Improve your service and standard people will favor travelling with PIA My family just traveled to Canada business class in pIA. The TV display were not working. One was upside down. The male steward in the business class was the rudest person encountered. Family was travelling with children and an aged person. No food was served for 9 hours until they were approached. And only sandwiches. Maybe it was Ramadan? The business class price was same as Emirates or Etihead, yet the seats and service were of a bus. A complaint card was filled for the steward, let's see if PIA can take any action, which I seriously doubt as their Union will intervene and the management will back off. With such ignorance and pathetic service, why would one expect to travel abroad in PIA.

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