PIA’s revival is my top priority: Shujaat Azeem

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The Pakistan International Airline’s (PIA) revival is on top priority and all efforts are aimed at turnaround of the airline beneficial for its shareholders, employees and passengers. Shujaat Azeem, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation, stated this in his first message to the PIA employees.

Shujaat Azeem said the federal government was providing support for revival of the airline and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was very keen to see turnaround of PIA as soon as possible.

He said there would be no lay-offs, rather growth and development would be the only strategy prevailing in the national flag carrier. He said meetings would be held with all the unions and associations for their enhanced contribution towards the betterment of airline and with their help they would achieve their objectives. “We believe in consultation and not confrontation. Honesty, hard work and reward system will prevail across the board. However, there will be no political interference and zero tolerance for corruption.”

He asserted that the fear of lay-offs in the national flag carrier were based on rumours and hearsay, the fact was that the present government was aware of the economic issues being faced by the country and was not in favour of lay-offs in the PIA. He said the PIA employees were the real assets and believed that it was the team effort which was required at this time to steer the airline out of the financial difficulties.

The turnaround was on the corner and very soon good news would be heard, he said. The PIA once again will become the leading airline by addition of new fleet and revamping of infrastructure, he further commented.

Shujaat Azeem said on the instructions of prime minister, all out efforts were being made to make the PIA a profitable entity by way of achieving revenues and reducing costs without compromising on service standards.

He appreciated the efforts of the employees and said the performance of last month and the successful ongoing Umrah season were very encouraging. The recently started phone, sms and email service on PIA Boeing 777 aircraft was also a good initiative for the convenience of passengers. People love to fly the PIA and they must win back their confidence, he added.

He said the airline had acquired four aircraft on damp lease while induction of three A320 aircraft with confirmed deliveries would start from July 2014. Furthermore, 10 additional fuel efficient narrow body aircraft would be acquired for which the tender advertisements would be placed very soon.

The PIA will be equipped with newer fuel efficient narrow body aircraft which will help in restoration of old routes and flights suspended due to shortage of fleet. There will be increase in frequencies on profitable routes. We have decided to modernize this airline by installing latest technological infrastructure at par with others in the market.

Shujaat Azeem said that emphasis is being made on increasing revenue base by way of implementing additional frequencies on profitable routes and new destinations to be added to the airline’s network purely on commercial basis while aircraft inductions are also being made to meet demand capacity and maintain the airline’s flights schedule.

The PIA employees have welcomed the appointment of Shujaat Azeem as Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Aviation who has the aviation back ground and a strong will to turn around PIA.

3 COMMENTS

  1. this is great news, we hope all the best for Mr Azeem, we are available if you require any assistance or input from established UK based travel agent. The airline should do more to support its agents no matter where they are based.

  2. Dear Mr. Azeem main question is this how implemented which you take a action otherwise a good action

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