PIA admin blames workers’ unions for national carrier’s plight

–Response submitted to SC says immediate improvement in PIA’s working not possible due to ‘unfavourable circumstances’

–Admin requests court to allow recruitment of qualified staff, bar on union leaders from spreading propaganda against PIA

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) management on Friday informed the Supreme Court (SC) that bringing immediate improvements to the national carrier was not possible, and requested the court to lift the ban on fresh recruitment in the organisation.

The apex court was hearing the airline’s privatisation case.

As the hearing went underway, a response from PIA’s administration was submitted to the court. According to the document, Pakistan’s unfavourable circumstances have affected the airline. It further said that losses on most routes and excess staff were the primary reasons that resulted in the airline’s losses.

According to PIA administration, most aircraft have been grounded since last year. Political interference and a largely demotivated staff have added to the challenges faced by the national carrier, the response stated, adding that the airline’s total loss has reached Rs406 billion, while the organisation’s total assets are worth Rs111 billion.

The PIA management further informed the top court that the airline’s staff lacked the required experience and expertise, adding that the national carrier is operating on the same pattern as other government departments. They said that PIA’s current business model cannot make it profitable due to the presence of workers’ unions.

The response said that a 30% improvement in the sale of tickets is because of the new administrative steps, adding that the airline’s income increased by 5% in the past year, with an 8.5% improvement in income from cargo service.

PIA’s response also explained that an intent to remove the national flag from the aircraft was not involved in the decision to place a Markhor’s picture on the tail. The flag’s placement was moved to the centre of the aircraft bodies. The response further stated that a possibility to even consider removing the national flag from the aircraft did not exist.

The response pleaded the court to issue orders to facilitate the national carrier’s administration. It also requested the court to allow the recruitment of qualified staff and bar union leaders from using propaganda as a means of creating hindrances.

The PIA management also requested the court to expedite the cases related to the airline, withdraw the order to remove the Markhor’s image from aircraft, and order the removal of the national carrier’s CEO from the Exit Control List (ECL).