PIA to expand fleet with five new aircraft

[Shahzaz ud din]

PIA to expand fleet with five new aircraft
By
News Desk
-
October 14, 2019
0
5

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to acquire five new aircraft in a bid to expand its fleet, a private media outlet reported on Monday.

As per details, two A-320 Airbuses will be inducted into the national flag-carrier by November while a tender to buy three new narrow-body aircraft will also be released next month.

The 323 narrow-body aircraft will help the PIA minimise its expenses, besides ensuring the expansion of its international and domestic flight operations.

It may be noted that the PIA had also started a facility for the overhauling of 777 Boeing in various cities of Pakistan.

PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik had said that the move would help the PIA control its aircraft overhauling expenses.

In June 2019, the PIA had temporarily added six narrow-body aircraft to its fleet in order to facilitate Hajj operations.

FLIGHTS TO MALAYSIA

Meanwhile, after an interval of eight months, the national flag-carrier has restored its flight operation to Malaysia. A PIA flight carrying more than 300 passengers left for Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the PIA, “The national airline will operate two direct flights between Islamabad and Kuala Lumpur (Monday and Friday) to facilitate the tourists and businessmen intending to visit Malaysia and Pakistan.

 

[Imran Khan]

good but they need more 50 planes as they have staff of 14000 with just 32 air crafts .last week thomas cook airline closed because of losses and they have 34 aircrafts with just 8000 employees .

 

[Hiraa]

good but they need more 50 planes as they have staff of 14000 with just 32 air crafts .last week thomas cook airline closed because of losses and they have 34 aircrafts with just 8000 employees .

PIA needs austerity as well. Although I am happy about the progress so far.

 

[razgriz19]

PIA doesn't need 50 more planes but to cut 10000 employees at least

good but they need more 50 planes as they have staff of 14000 with just 32 air crafts .last week thomas cook airline closed because of losses and they have 34 aircrafts with just 8000 employees .

 

[Azadkashmir]

cut out all cuzins, chachy and sastay chachiya staff. no skill just nepotism and nakray pokray.

 

[cloud4000]

No government will reform PIA because it's political suicide to do so. It will continue to operate as is; and the government will bail it out, year after year. And if the government wants to sell it, who's going to buy it? PIA not only has an enormous debt load but needs more money for the upgrade of fleet and facilities.

 

[Flash_Ninja]

No government will reform PIA because it's political suicide to do so. It will continue to operate as is; and the government will bail it out, year after year. And if the government wants to sell it, who's going to buy it? PIA not only has an enormous debt load but needs more money for the upgrade of fleet and facilities.

I have faith IK can turn it around, they have already generated a lot more revenue this year, and are finally opening much needed routes like Kuala Lampur and New York.

 

[ziaulislam]

PIA doesn't need 50 more planes but to cut 10000 employees at least

if you cant out employees what can you do..you will obviously need to expand operation...
if you become smart you can use these employees..
ancillary stuff PIA can do itself rather than renting out..also it has to get rid of temp staff

 

[Pakhtoon yum]

No government will reform PIA because it's political suicide to do so. It will continue to operate as is; and the government will bail it out, year after year. And if the government wants to sell it, who's going to buy it? PIA not only has an enormous debt load but needs more money for the upgrade of fleet and facilities.

Ok, Indian obsessed with Pakistan

 

[Ritual]

I have faith IK can turn it around, they have already generated a lot more revenue this year, and are finally opening much needed routes like Kuala Lampur and New York.

They need to focus on making at least one airport TSA approved before they can restart operations to the US. I am amazed a brand new Islamabad Airport could not arrange that.

 

[Trailer23]

Personally, as someone who has been operating on Boeing for nearly 15 Years - i'd be biased if I said that they should have opted with Boeing.

But with the issues Boeing is facing with the MAX, airbus is clearly the preferred choice. I will say that instead of going for the conventional narrow-body a320, they should have gone for the slightly bigger a321 Neo.

That aircraft has capacity, range & new engines that are more fuel efficient.

We also need to start thinking about Wide-Body.

Airlines that generally operate one type are the ones that seem to be profiting in the market these days. I seriously wonder how Airlines like Turkish, Egypt Air & (even) Etihad can survive in today's World.

If PIA really wants to survive - its not ideal, but now they're so deep into it...this is the only formula that could help.

Wide-Body: Stick with the B777
Avoid: B787 (Dreamliner), a350 & even the a330 Neo

Narrow-Body: Stick with a320 and/or go for a321 Neo (same Family).
Avoid: B737-Max and the A220 (formerly Bombardier C-Series).

Propeller: ATR-42 is fine, unless they feel the need to upgrade to ATR-72 (based on passenger frequency) to remote areas.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Fantastic news , great news for PIA
Look forward to arrival of new planes in Pakistan International Airlines

 

[Umar Nazir]

Mostly air travel is the travel of the rich people, and Pakistan international air line is in huge loss since 1990s. Privatization is the best solution for that, it will greatly help our economy as it will reduce the financial deficit by a great extent

 

[Yaseen1]

first they ensure that current planes are fully occupied when flying through routes,buying new planes increase risk of corruption by taking more commissions,we need more fighter jets instead of PIA planes

 

[zn426]

Personally, as someone who has been operating on Boeing for nearly 15 Years - i'd be biased if I said that they should have opted with Boeing.

But with the issues Boeing is facing with the MAX, airbus is clearly the preferred choice. I will say that instead of going for the conventional narrow-body a320, they should have gone for the slightly bigger a321 Neo.

That aircraft has capacity, range & new engines that are more fuel efficient.

We also need to start thinking about Wide-Body.

Airlines that generally operate one type are the ones that seem to be profiting in the market these days. I seriously wonder how Airlines like Turkish, Egypt Air & (even) Etihad can survive in today's World.

If PIA really wants to survive - its not ideal, but now they're so deep into it...this is the only formula that could help.

Wide-Body: Stick with the B777
Avoid: B787 (Dreamliner), a350 & even the a330 Neo

Narrow-Body: Stick with a320 and/or go for a321 Neo (same Family).
Avoid: B737-Max and the A220 (formerly Bombardier C-Series).

Propeller: ATR-42 is fine, unless they feel the need to upgrade to ATR-72 (based on passenger frequency) to remote areas.

I'm not sure the 321neo is the solution given the typical flights PIA operates. What are the load factors on the wide-body flights PIA operates to Europe and Canada?
Range is less of an issue between Pakistan and the Middle East, at that point it's more of a fuel economy issue. You're having to complete with FlyDubai and Qatar on those routes, and also with Shaheen and AirBlue to some extent.
I would avoid the MAX unless the issues are fixed, but let's be honest-Boeing will be desperate for sales and if they really are fixed, then acquisition costs could be quite low.
Also-why not the 787? It has lower flight costs than the 777, and most routes from Pakistan are likely to be long and a little thin. If capacity is truly the concern, PIA could look at the 787-10. It is a mature, stable aircraft, with the only concern being if Boeing's personnel issues in their South Carolina plant have been resolved.