PIA to start additional flights to China, NY, Oman by Dec

KARACHI:  In pursuance of its plan to revive long lost routes, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to start two weekly flights each from Lahore and Islamabad to Barcelona from December 13, 2016.

A Boeing-777 would likely be deployed on this route. Barcelona operation was suspended in February 2015. The national flag carrier has decided to launch additional flights to Oman, New York and China in December 2016, while one weekly flight from Islamabad to Kuala Lumpur is being launched from November 4, 2016, an official told The News on Tuesday. PIA is already operating two flights to New York and three weekly flights to China.

The national flag carrier is working towards re-establishing its footprint in lost routes, and placed advertisements seeking to secure both short- and long-term leases for wide-body aircraft.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made the privatisation of PIA a top goal when he came to power in 2013. However, those plans were abandoned earlier this year after crippling strikes by staff protesting against privatisation, and a new turnaround strategy drawn up.

PIA is also reviewing the number of people required for its current fleet and operations, an exercise initiated to opt for right sizing. The management is aiming at appointing most suitable people at every position. For this purpose new recruitment would also be done soon particularly for pilots, flight attendants, and cabin crew.

According to Bernd Hildenbrand, the CEO of PIA, the airline is committed to expand its fleet from current 38 aircraft to 100 aircraft till 2025. The plan is to operate about 60 aircraft in 2020; 100 aircraft by 2025.

Pakistan Premier, the new service launched by PIA has received exceptional positive feedback from the passengers. Moreover, PIA’s domestic share has increased from 40 percent to 56 percent, which reflects the national flag carrier’s efforts to improve services.