PIA to Induct four new Aircraft

KARACHI: Pakistan’s National Flag carrier to induct four new aircrafts which will benefit Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to fly on Sialkot to Barcelona and Lahore to Bankok routes.

The President and CEO, PIA – Air Marshal Arshad Malik informed during address to PIA employees at the Head Office that PIA has initiated on the fleet enlargement plan and in sometime it will inflate its access around the globe.

CEO Malik added, “PIA is soon to initiate flights on latest routes. We have by now initiated Sialkot-Sharjah and Lahore-Muscat routes and the outcome is very encouraging. We will sternly follow route rationalization policy and fresh viable itinerary will be introduced.”

PIA’s spokesperson Mashood Tajwar said The airline will be capable to induct new aircrafts according to the aviation policy by the middle of the year 2019.

The induction of an aircraft is a complex process, as it mainly depends on the availability of the aircraft and then the feasibility of the price.

However, the PIA administration is seeking for both wide and narrow body aircraft, as narrow-body aircraft have a capacity of 150 to 250 seats with a single aisle, whereas wide-body airplanes can hold 250 passengers and beyond with multiple aisles.

Presently, PIA has a fleet of 32 aircraft and runs 110 to 120 flights per day. So, the new addition will boost it to 36 aircraft, which will increase the number of flights due to increase in new routes

According to a Boeing report on aircraft finance market 2018, almost 40% of the world’s aircraft fleet is on lease than owned by airlines.

PIA will take decision based on best tender offered, as it’s a combination of availability & feasibility. Also, PIA is interested in taking the aircraft on dry lease.