On the occasion, the prime minster offered his all out support for making PIA one of the leading airlines of the world.
He said that he would like to see more Pakistanis travel in the national flag carrier, which, he said, should be the preferred choice of passengers.
He also emphasised on providing the best services to passengers and expressed his best wishes for the success of PIA.
Special Assistant to the PM on Aviation Shujaat Azeem, PIA Managing Director Muhammad Junaid Yunus and PIA Flight Operations Director Captain Qasim Hayat accompanied the prime minister during the visit, according to a press release.
Sharing his views, Nawaz said, "It's pleasing to see the new aircraft being inducted into the PIA fleet and [I pray] that with the present initiatives being taken, PIA will soon be revived to its past glory".
The special assistant to the PM on aviation said that PIA was in the process of inducting 14 aircraft in its fleet, including narrow body, wide body and turbo-prop aircraft.
PIA had placed an order for acquiring three A320 aircraft from the GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS), out of which one aircraft has been received, while the remaining two would be delivered in July and September. The remaining aircraft would be inducted in the near future.
COMMENTS (26)
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PIAmetro !!!
@Troubled: If that happens, then you do know where all the "alcohol" will go? Definetly not to the passengers!
Dipak@Gp65: Don't forget the great services also provided by Emirates, Qatar and Eithiad.
Dipak@Muhammad Rizwan Ali: Xinjiang route is open.
Pakistan being very close friend of China, may ask some more city routs for PIA in China, as China is very big Country, and PIA, might have lot of good business there.. I feel, never any PIA of Pakistan Govt official tried to get some more routs for PIA in china..
@unbelievable: No American who has actually travelled internationally thinks that service of the American airlines is the best. Domestically US does not let foreign airlines fly so Americans have no choice. Now they have stopped giving even pillows and blankets in domestic floghts. The peanuts had stopped a while back. Even a sinle check-in bag is charged. Sorry you are quite wrong in what you are saying.
For international travel British Airways, Lufthansa, Emirates, Singapore Airlines are popular and are believed to have great service and every one of them is a flag carrier.
@unbelievable: Not true. Some of the most profitable and popular international airlines are associated with governments e.g. Lufthansa, Emorates, Singapore Airlines, British Airways
@ belithe
You are funny ...My dear this Shujaat Azeen is brother of PMLN Leader ( Ex musharraf information minister ) Tariq Azeem. so you political hiring is full time one. PIA should be privatized ASAP and please not to Mian Mansha this time. When was the last time British prime minister visiting and inspecting British airways???? this is not job of Govt so stop it.
@Sana: "Awesome Mr Nawaz Sharif. We love you, carry on the good work " What has he done? Appointed a close friend who was once removed by Supreme Court..oh, now I got it, you have to write this comment for Eid bonus, no matter what the story is
What a photo-session happy govt this is! What a gimmick-happy prime minister this is! Was it necessary to spend millions on route security and commute to carry the PM so he could see an aircraft? What nonsense. PML-N will never learn their lessons.
This is a 10 year old plane discarded by and bought from China Air.
except the alcohol i m with u@Troubled:
Why should the govt care which airline you fly? Most of the big profitable airlines throughout the World have no association with any govt -- doesn't seem to hold them back. US govt doesn't own any airline and American's seem to have some of the best air service in the World. It's one of those Elephant in the Room things that Pakistani's have been trained to ignore - govt involvement in industry generally means low productivity, lousy quality, poor service and big losses. Sell 100% of PIA or close it down.
Oh Come on Mr. PM you have nothing else to do other then to inspect 'a new Aircraft'. Work and make a better Pakistan. Also, a European plane being leased from GE Capital, must be costing a big penny. There other tried and tested Aircraft Leasing Companies which have fleet of A320's and lease out at cheaper price. There are leasing Co's in Europe like The CIT Group, Bavaria International, AWAS, etc.
This should be lauded. There is too much negativism in our society related to everything. We all know PIA was one of the best in 50's and 60's and if management wants, it definitely can get back to being the best. Of course it will take time and I would rather wait than see PIA being sold under privatization tag.
Best wishes!!!
An airline with 90% flights always late or cancelled. Not even us Pakistanis prefer to fly on such a third class airline
Well Mr.Prime Minister, PIA is the only choice we got since no other Airline wants to visit the country you are leading. I dont understand how you want to make this country progress while you post most corrupt people on important assignments. The country where rich people like you are above the law and is enforced the same on the common man. We want to live in a civilized society where people have tolerance, which I believe is impossible in a country where there is no justice for a common man. This country is for you people to live in and enjoy in your castles and fortresses and stupid people who follow people like you and other politician. I hope you wont ask Punjab Police to gun me down for this comment...
Please Post ...
" He said that he would like to see more Pakistanis travel in the national flag carrier, which, he said, should be the preferred choice of passengers."
Do you and and your vast army of henchmen travel by PIA? Even with the induction of these 2nd-hand aircraft would you?
Why should I spend my hard earned fully taxed money on an airline run by rude, incompetent "sufarishi" staff. The treatment of passengers by PIA is simply obnoxious.
Awesome Mr Nawaz Sharif. We love you, carry on the good work
More loot and plunder..........when will this shop ?
I have been living abroad for the last 11 years and have always preferred PIA to fly with. Only once I have flown with Emirates. Initially I told everyone that PIA was not bad at all and we should prefer this over its rivals. But sadly over the last 2 years the airline has sunk into unbelievable mess. From food, to cleanliness, to on board entertainment to staff attitude to lack of blankets even for little kids , its unbelievable. I am not going to fly with them ever again insha Allah, my tickets for the planned trip are already booked with Emirates and there was n price difference between one of the world's worst airlines and the best one!
Good job!
Please also remove all the political appointees from PPP days .
Is this news worthy reporting? Next will we have photo ops when he gets a new car paid by our taxes. And we all know the reason he visited this aircraft is because he will be using this with his entourage on journey around Pakistan and abroad.
If they start serving alcohol and have a proper entertainment system on international flights, most Pakistanis will start flying PIA again.
There is no other reason to add an extra 3-6 hours per flight by stopping over in the Gulf.