ISLAMABAD
The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that the government has taken a number of steps to improve the performance of Pakistan International Airlines.
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmad told the House during question hour that these include cash injection of Rs 16 billion for debt servicing and to acquire aircraft on lease including acquiring four narrow body aircraft on wet lease from Turkey and Czech Republic for three months, financing for acquisition of 11 narrow body aircraft on dry lease, sovereign guarantees to GE Company for overhauling of 777 engines, cost cutting measures and fuel and route rationalisation.
He said government also plans to divest 26 percent share of PIA to a strategic partner with complete management within a period of one year through the Privatization Commission.
To a question, he said a fine of over four hundred and ten million rupees was imposed on PIA for carrying passengers on forged documents and the corporation has in turn recovered 109 million rupees of the said fine from the concerned passengers. He said once new generation aircraft are acquired the older ones will be grounded and put to public auction.
Shaikh Aftab said presently there is no consideration by PIA to reduce fares on international flights as these fares are in line with competitors.