This is apropos to news item published in your esteemed paper (19 Jan) that PIA has replaced Boeing with Airbus to cater to the ever-increasing traffic originating from Karachi and Sialkot to Muscat.
There is no doubt that our national airline has been under great criticism in recent past due to delays and cancellation of flights especially during the Hajj season. But the good steps being taken by the national airline should also be appreciated. As reported in the press, 12 new aircrafts are being inducted in 2012 in the PIA fleet to ease the traffic and delays.
Apart from this, new routes are being added to generate more revenue. It is planned to raise the strength of fleet to 70 by the end of 2020. The new aircrafts being added are being purchased directly from the manufacturing companies to eliminate kickbacks which had become a hallmark of deals conducted by the airline. That these aircrafts are being arranged without government guarantees testifies to the credibility of the airline and its creditworthiness.
Since private airlines do not operate on northern routes, PIA has to subsidise the fares that adds to regular loss to the airline.
Another factor that contributes to loss of the PIA is excess manpower. While downsizing may not be viable due to the prevalent unemployment but restructuring and streamlining should be done to make the airline more efficient.
To make the airline profitable, PIA has to take revolutionary steps and expedite the purchase of aircrafts and add new routes and utilise manpower judiciously.
Let us appreciate the good work being done by PIA to make this airline one of the leading airlines of the world once again.
LT COL (Retd) MUKHTAR AHMED BUTT
Karachi
