LAHORE: Quelling rumours about the closing down of operations in the European Union (EU), the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said its carriers planes were flying back and forth across the continent in full swing.
The national flag carrier is operating through all its stations in the European Union including Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Manchester, and none of these stations were ever closed down, confirmed a PIA spokesperson on Saturday.
The spokesperson added that the Manchester station could not possibly be shut as it was a crucial stop for flights heading to the United States.
He further said that the fact that PIA selling tickets for EU destinations would suffice to prove that the airline was operating in the continent. He added that such rumours deem the airline’s services unreliable, while seriously dampening its sales and causing foreign airlines to make revenue.
New schedule
The spokesman said that a few weeks ago, PIA organised a marketing conference to revise airline operations. PIA managers are now engaged in a thorough study to identify loss-making and profit-making routes. The frequency of flights will be adjusted along suitable routes so as to reduce losses and allow for higher revenues.
The winter schedule for PIA is ready and will be effective from October 27, 2012. The airline will pursue an aggressive profit-making strategy and attract customers in Europe, the UK, US and Canada – especially during Christmas holidays.
For this purpose, additional flights will be introduced and frequency of flights will also be increased to various destinations.
Policy decisions in this regard will be announced once the new management takes office, said the spokesman.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2012.
COMMENTS (7)
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This is for ET. Why this news is printed again on oct 24th 2012 when it was already given byET on october first,2012.The status of this news is trash bin and not front page display. Is ET in the business of giving NEWS or creating hatred against PIA?
I am quite convinced that these rumors are planted to hurt PIA.
Plz plz start your Glasgow-lahore/Islamabad service again......................
Introduce a flight from Karachi to Washington DC. I bet it will be most profitable route. PIA flies directly (non-Stop) to Lahore from JFK in New York and I know many people on the US east cost drive to NY to take that non-stop flight.
There are so many Pakistanis living in Baltimore-Washington Metro Area and PIA should take benefit for that. Right now these people have to fly to PK through Qatar Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines etc. All these stop in their respective home countries for a lay-over plus they are a bit expensive than PIA as well.
PIA, you can't do anything unless you have a clear strategy of serving people. you need to kick out white elephants and bring some fresh and dynamic employees. You also need to ask your government to cut down the 50% money in shape of taxes, duties etc to make the airline more affordable. You also need to enhance your in flight services and let your air hostess treat everyone equally, their attitude towards labourer is different compare to elite class.
And.. in the last, you need to stick to your schedules..don't send people from the airport to back home.
well even if they quashed the rumours, they should work on their services, timing and quality. They are the most ridiculous in this regard right now!