AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi, December 06, 2012 (PPI-OT): The PIA management’s immediate goal is to bring down the average age of PIAs fleet and improve reliability and punctuality by on time departures and arrivals along with providing world class customer service to the valuable passengers. PIA Spokesman said here on Thursday.
He said that Pakistan International Airlines under the present management has barely had few weeks in office however it has started a process of fleet modernization and revamping its entire service to turn around in shortest time period the ailing airline with its new business model. Already the airline has been in operating profit for the last two months (September–October 2012).
The tender has been floated for five narrow body aircraft with delivery of at least four aircraft in first and one in second quarter of 2013 to meet the capacity shortfall. However, the airline has not finalized acquiring any particular type of aircraft.
PIA received offers for both Airbus A320 and Boeing 737-800. However, A320 offers are larger in number as compared to Boeing 737-800. Presently, these offers are being evaluated and no final decision regarding induction of either narrow-body aircraft has been finalized.
It may be categorically understood that the tender for these aircraft has not been awarded and the evaluation process is still not complete. It is therefore premature to assume which aircraft or engine type will be inducted. Speculative reports create undue bias for evaluators, which may not be in the best interest of the airline.
For the first time in PIA’s history, Managing Director PIA, Muhammad Junaid Yunus invited Transparency International Pakistan to monitor the bidding process. In addition to TIP, representative of the Ministry of Defense, Employees’ Unions including SAEP were also present in the financial and technical bid opening process. The Corporation has taken TIP onboard the evaluation process of not just this tender but in fact all future tenders would be forwarded to TIP for scrutiny.
Furthermore, fuel costs are taking a 55% toll on the airlines revenue. Newer aircraft provide fuel savings up to 50% for a route flown as well as lower maintenance costs. PIA’s sixty three percent operation is on short haul routes, within four hours of flight time. PIA is following a clear point-based system where points are awarded based on fleet commonality and availability of present apparatus for overhaul of engines.
However should the airline just select on one criterion? Of course not! Especially with the rapid advances in technology in aviation what matters is the cost benefit analysis of these aircraft and therefore financial cost and availability of these aircraft also play an important role.
PIA cannot afford to wait years on end to suit the schedule of a particular vendor or manufacturer. It is pertinent to mention that any further delay in the induction of new aircraft will result in the delay of the turn around of the airline, which was noted by the Board of Directors and Government Pakistan.
For more information, contact:
S. Sultan Hasan
General Manager, Public Affairs
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
Tel: +9221 9904 0000
Fax: +9221 3457 2225, 3457 0419