The government has decided to sell a 26% stake along with management control in the loss-ridden PIA. . PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) can save billions of rupees in reduced fuel cost by better aircraft turnaround time, controlling pilferage of unpaid luggage and cargo, decreasing weight and efficient utilisation of existing facilities, unions said on Friday.
A detailed report prepared by Joint Action Committee of PIA Employees (JACPIAE) on ways to bring down PIA’s losses was shared with journalists. The same report has already been submitted to the board of directors and the management.
“Most of the proposed measures have already been adopted by leading airlines across the world,” said an official, who worked on the report. “We could do the same. These are little things, which help bring big changes.”
The weight of the aircraft affects the quantity of fuel consumed during a flight, the official said. “Every PIA flight carries an extra 750 kilogrammes in the shape of a flight pack, which includes a spare tyre and few other things that have never been used. We follow outdated ways,” he added.
These changes, along with other proposals were never taken seriously by the management or other senior officials in the government, union officials said.
The government has decided to sell a 26% stake along with management control in the loss-ridden PIA.
A senior leader of JACPIA said that unions were even ready to take a cut in salaries, provided some sincere effort was visible by the management to fix PIA. “There are a lot of things that need to be done before it comes down to sacking employees.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.
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@Ch. Allah Daad: When the rot sets, it effects all institutions in its own way, afghan war was a mess pakistan should never have Gone into. Pia, raiways, steel mill, tolerace, etc went to the drain after it. Rab rakha
PIA is finished. The time of downsizing, privitization or other means to revive have expired. Unions will never let it downsize and no one will buy except for free. Solution is to kill it and let other airlines take its place. When there are passengers willing to buy airline ticket (and their number is growing each year) other players will come forward. We should never worry about employees and their jobs. If they are competent, honest and hardworking, they will find jobs in other airlines. If not, then let them suffer. There was a time, when PIA employees were in great demand. During those times, they use to leave PIA without resigning or even giving prior notice. Once whole Engineering shift from Karachi airport flew for Gulf without telling authorities. Nation should never worry about these thankless people who destroyed a prestigious organization.
Is the best the union can come up with - remove 750 kg of weight from each flight ? What about the thousands of employees who sit around doing nothing ?
I also have a proposal ; shut the airline down for 6 months, completely. Fire all the employees and this is the most important one. Restart airline as a new legal entity with new management. Hire new employees.. Previous employees to be hired only if they sign a waiver not to indulge in union activities, as not all PIA employees are bad or free loaders. Number of employees not to be more than an industry average. Benefits to be reduced on rehiring such as no free tickets for parents (sorry but its a business not a charity shop). Make the employees contribute towards a health plan for medical benefits. In other words, no more freebies. The new airlne will be profitable within 3 months of restart. Guaranteed.
so what were they doing for the last decade or so?
These shame-less people, how can they NOT even mention that employee-to-aircraft ratio is the highest in the world, around 19000 employees working. How dare these people oppose firing people. The truth is, they all were inducted by successive corrupt political regimes, trying to please their voters. None of them is qualified or deserves to be in PIA. They are the main problem, there is nothing else but the sane way of FIRING all of these. This PIA has become a welfae organisations for these people, free tickets, pay and perks, medical bills, rents, salaries, no wonder these vultures are so edgy at the thought of getting fired. lay these people off please.
Did I read right? Very same unions who're mostly responsible for the sorry state of affairs of national flag carrier now come up with cost-cutting proposals. When they've become so sincere?
PIA has 5 times more employees and efficiency is zero. Sacking most of them is the only option. I as a tax payer, will not want my government to pay these employees from my taxes for doing nothing and creating hurdles most of the time instead.