KARACHI:
Boeing and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday announced a firm order for five 777-300ER (extended range) airplanes valued at nearly $1.5 billion at list prices.
The order also includes purchase rights to PIA for five additional 777-300ERs, says a press release issued by Boeing.
The deal is part of PIA’s long-haul fleet renewable programme aimed at accommodating increased demand for air travel as well as introducing new routes.
“With passenger traffic in our region accelerating, the new 777-300ER airplanes will continue to deliver the highest standards of technology and passenger comfort,” said Captain Nadeem Yousufzai, Managing Director of PIA.
“The 777-300ER is a perfect fit for PIA as it will generate more revenue and carry additional payload, while extending range capability,” said Miguel Santos, Director International Sales of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
With this order, PIA’s 777 fleet will grow to 14.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (16)
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they are expanding, nuts, i thought they are consistently making losses and needs to be supported by tax payer money. How come they are making money but showing losses ... it is about time to take some anti corruption steps against PIA
Like seriously these fools are already running a several billion rupee loss per month. And now they want to buy 1.5BN USD of planes?
How do these genuises do their budgetting? Where will the money come from? The poor people of Pakistan and their taxes?
@Pakistani Agnostic: I think you are mistaken. Most expatriate Pakistanis, including myself prefer to take PIA over the Gulf based airlines. I find PIA's service and staff much better than the Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways. The problem we have in North America is that the ticket agents always tell you PIA is fully booked or it's cheaper to go with a Gulf Airline. I have been stuck with a Gulf based airline on my last two trips to Pakistan but like a lot of customers, I am now insisting on taking PIA even if I have to pay more.
PIA should take a lesson from India's Jet airways, which has transformed itself into a top airlines providing excellent service. I travelled from London to New York on Jet airways and found te service and food even better than Emirates.
If these new aircraft replace the Airbus A310's now over 20 years old that would be good.
I would attach high priority to phasing out and replacing the Boeing 737 that have also been in service now for over 20 years.
Once both are done, the average age of the fleet should drop significantly.
thats good its goog for pia
What about 737s, why aren't we getting more of them? Usually all over Europe, 737 has been a great sucess, also we have been using these in short routes to the Middle East and Asian region.
As of right now, PIA does not need new airplanes. What it needs is a new management or better still to be privatised.
@Akhtar: For an A380, you need special landing facilities which we do not have. Secondly, A380 is only viable on very busy routes which in our case is Khi/lhr/isl to Jeddah/Dubai/London/New York. But these routes are already dominated by Emirates/Etihad and Qatar airways and Pakistanis seem to prefer them as well so it would be futile to buy an A380. Current airplanes are good enough.
@Akhtar: and what makes you such an authority on the aviation industry? different airlines have different requirements and purchase aircraft accordingly.
For VIPs?
@Athar but where will A380 land in Pakistan
Why isn't Pakistani National Assembly protesting to US State Department to officially condemn the US - Baluchistan resolution in US Congress and as a protest should explore and purchase Air Bus...
Utter incompetence and Corruption in leadership, a lethal combination for any company/country
A good step. This will pave way for PIA to be competitive with other airlines stealing the show such as Emirates.
Another key area to be looked at is staff, service and training. In the long run, once all things settle down for the better PIA should be privatized. Perhaps, a percentage of shares should be sold once things are better.
PIA must have gone with A380's or at least the dreamliners. They are much modern & fuel efficient!