On the face of it, PIA has a new MD, who recently retired from PAF as its commander in chief, replacing two cronies who had destroyed this airline. In just under four years the national airline losses have risen astronomically from Rs 42 Billion in March 2008 to over Rs212 Billion by January 2012, while its schedules have been devastated and its reliability at its lowest. More than half the fleet, including both its aged fleet of B747, B737, A310 and new aircrafts such as ATR and B777 are grounded for lack of spares or shortage of funds. Pilferage of revenues and a defective cum controversial parts procurement policy have dented this airline both financially and operationally. Mediocrity continues to dominate the senior executive corridors with more than five executive directors not even holding a bare minimum graduation degree. During past few years PIA has conducted its worst Umrah and Hajj operations. Inspite of all these negative results, the new MD does not have the powers to appoint, promote and post middle management officers above Group 9. These powers vest with Chairman and cronies who have been running this organization like a fiefdom. What purpose does this change serve if the MD cannot bring about changes in a team that has failed miserably? The next Hajj and Umrah operations are due and it seems that our pilgrim’s fate is sealed to suffer endlessly, inspite of hike in fares.
IRFAN BUTT
Karachi