Bidders demand full ownership as PIA privatisation nears

ISLAMABAD: As Pakistan’s long-awaited bid to privatise its beleaguered national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), approaches, the process has hit a new turbulence. The six pre-qualified bidders, initially enticed by a 60 percent stake offer, are now demanding full control of the airline.

Concerns over fleet age, financial liabilities, and operational hurdles have put the future of the sale—and the airline itself—in doubt.

The Privatisation Commission, in a parliamentary panel meeting last week, informed that it plans to sell 76 percent of PIA’s shares. But, the potential bidders say the government has not officially notified them of this new proposal, one of the potential bidders told ‘The News’ on Monday.

The pre-qualified bidders argue that without 100 percent ownership, the risks outweigh the potential rewards. The financial burden of overhauling the airline’s aging fleet, including the planned retirement of 18 wide-body aircraft over the next two years, looms large.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that PIA’s smaller planes are leased, meaning any new investor would face a daunting task of rebuilding the airline’s fleet and operations almost from scratch.

The bidders have hesitated at the government’s $500 million investment requirement for the replacement of these retiring aircraft, insisting that such a commitment is impossible without total control of the airline. “Without full management and profit-loss control, we cannot justify these investments,” they said.

Adding to the bidders’ unease are the risks associated with financing and insurance for PIA’s debt-laden operations. PIA is currently saddled with approximately Rs200 billion in liabilities. Potential buyers will need to secure bank loans to finance their stake, which they argue is unfeasible without full ownership.

A major red flag raised by the bidders is the suspension of PIA’s operations on international routes, particularly to lucrative destinations in Europe and the US until these routes are restored, the prospect of turning the airline into a profitable venture appears bleak. Bidders have urged the government to expedite the resumption of these flights to make the deal more attractive.

The divestment plan, designed by the financial advisor Ernst & Young, is also under scrutiny. Appointed in November last year, Ernst & Young has been tasked with preparing PIA for sale. Yet, bidders are expressing reservations about the plan, questioning its feasibility in light of the numerous hurdles the airline faces.

Pakistan’s open skies policy, which allows international carriers to operate freely within the country, presents another challenge for PIA’s would-be buyers. Bidders fear that without protections from foreign competition, PIA’s potential for recovery is limited.

Concerns about workforce retention and tax obligations have also been raised. Bidders, wary of inheriting the airline’s substantial workforce and the legal protections afforded to employees, are pressing for clarity.

They say the airline is overstaffed, while the government is demanding that the employees, along with their pensions, be retained for at least three years. Last week, Secretary of the Privatisation Commission, Usman Bajwa, confirmed to a parliamentary panel that bidders are seeking more information on these issues, especially regarding pensions and protection from longstanding litigation.

Originally slated for October 1, the financial bidding process has now been postponed to October 31. With so many uncertainties still looming, the path forward for PIA’s privatisation remains fraught.

The Senate Standing Committee on Privatisation emphasised that delays in the airline’s sale could ripple across other privatisation efforts, including the planned divestment of Pakistan’s electricity distribution companies.

For now, the fate of Pakistan’s national carrier hangs in the balance, as the government and bidders grapple with a deal that could reshape the country’s aviation industry—or see PIA grounded for good.