Boosting: PIA inducts another narrow-body aircraft

Plane acquired from General Electric on dry lease for six years.


Our Correspondent October 30, 2014

ISLAMABAD:


In an effort to restructure the struggling national carrier, the management has decided to induct another narrow-body A320 aircraft.


The carrier acquired the aircraft from General Electric on a dry lease for six years. The aircraft landed at the Islamabad International Airport on Thursday. Special Assistant to Prime Minister (PM) on Aviation Shujaat Azeem told the media that currently Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has a total of 25 operational aircraft. Besides mismanagement and over staffing, the use of old, fuel guzzler planes on short routes were listed among reasons for the losses incurred by the carrier in the past few years.

“PIA is in the process of acquiring new generation fuel-efficient aircraft to replace the outdated fleet,” said Shujaat.

According to Azeem, once the proposed induction is complete, PIA will have 13 narrow-body Airbus planes, 11 ATRs and nine Boeing-777 in its fleet.

He said the inclusion of new generation aircraft would enable the national flag carrier to increase its flight frequency and introduce new routes.

“Some old aircraft that had completed their working life have already been grounded while the existing 747s will be grounded after the ongoing Hajj operations finish.”

He claimed that the new measures adopted during the past one year have reduced losses. “We have been successful in bringing the losses to Rs18 billion this year from Rs31 billion last year,” he remarked.

To a question, he said that the new aviation policy was ready and would be placed before the federal cabinet for approval soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2014.

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COMMENTS (2)

AJamal | 9 years ago | Reply

Adviser should rather tell us improvements in operating revenue and profits and reasons thereof. Due to accounting adjustments the bottom line becomes misleading.

salman | 9 years ago | Reply

“We have been successful in bringing the losses to Rs18 billion this year from Rs31 billion last year,” what an achievement... !!!

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