Abu Zolfiqar
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KARACHI (October 31 2009): Managing Director PIA, Captain Mohammad Aijaz Haroon inaugurated a state-of-the-art test facility for PW127 engines installed on ATR 42-500 aircraft. He also initiated another major project to establish a full functional Engineering Complex, which will include most modern Landing Gear overhaul facility scheduled to be completed by December 2010.
He appreciated the efforts of PIA employees on this feat saying that PIA would soon revive its past glory, the airline was going in the right direction and this achievement was part of its strategic initiatives of creating various revenue streams to combat rising operating costs in a declining market. He further hoped that with the innovations, teamwork and dedication PIA would become profitable again.
The Test Centre inaugurated also has the capability to test Auxiliary Power Units (APU) installed on Boeing 777 and Airbus A310-300 aircraft. This state-of-the-art test facility adds to the list of numerous firsts in PIA of pioneering and implementing cutting edge technologies to maintain its services.
This upgradation of PIA Engine Test Facilities will enhance PIA's ability to fully overhaul PW127 engines of all aircraft with saving of US $2 million annually in repair costs abroad. The current project was completed in 12 months period with a huge saving of Rs 20 million.
Pratt and Whitney Canada the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of PW127 engines Test Cell Team was also present during the correlation testing and certified PIA test cell as conforming to both regulatory as well as meeting all operational requirements.
The MD emphasised that under the leadership of DMD Salim Siyani, PIA has embarked on a challenge to become a full functional leading MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) in the region. Airlines like Lufthansa, United, Delta, Air France, Northwest and American have successfully adopted this model. The national carrier currently has test capability for testing engines like General Electric CF6-50, General Electric CF6-80, CFM International CFM56-3 installed on B747-200, A310-300 and B737-300 aircraft to perform full engine overhaul on CF6-50, CF6-80 aircraft engines respectively.
PIA also performs major aircraft maintenance checks on current fleet of Boeing 737, Boeing 747, Boeing 777, ATR, Airbus A310-300 and hundreds of major components including thrust reversals, APUs, Generators Status etc. This Speaks highly for the capability of PIA's skilled and dedicated engineering professional staff.
The Deputy Managing Director, Salim Siyani said that the World MRO Business was a $45.1 billion market, of which 9.5 billion was in Asian region. The increase MRO spending was driven by Labour costs and weak dollar around the world consequently the MRO unit cost was increasing, he added. He said that this was creating a great window of opportunity for PIA and the aviation Industry.
He told that highly experienced Engineering staff, full service aircraft and Engine Overhaul facilities, test calls and training centres combined with the team work of motivated professionals, PIA will continue leap forward to becoming a premier Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility in the region.
Later, Managing Director distributed certificates and cash prizes to the employees of Engineering Department and Works Division for their performance and efforts in completion of the project. The ceremony was also attended by other senior officials of the airline.-PR
Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]
