Strategy Evolved For PIA Revival: Air Marshal Arshad Malik

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik has said that a comprehensive strategy has been evolved for revival of the national flag-carrier

FAISALABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th Jan, 2019 ) :Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik has said that a comprehensive strategy has been evolved for revival of the national flag-carrier.

In his first public address at Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) here on Monday, he said that a short-term plan would ensure smooth functioning of the PIA, while in the long-term the organisation would be revived on permanent basis within next 3-5 years.

He said it was a bigger challenge to revive the PIA as compared to establishment of new airlines. However, he would try to accomplish the task with national commitment and service to Pakistan.

He said that he had a privilege to be part of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and was utilising its support to revive the national flag-carrier.

He said that he had visited Turkey to review the revival of Turkish Airlines. Similarly, he had also reviewed the Qatar model while in coming days he would visit Malaysia and other countries to review and discuss their national airline. He said that the PIA was currently facing losses of Rs 3 billion per month. It has 32 aircraft, out of which only six are generating revenue. He disclosed that nine planes, which were in working condition, had not been been in use for the last nine months.

He said that 18,000 workers were at the PIA payroll. Although their number was in excess to the prescribed strength, they could be utilised by getting more aircraft.

He mentioned 7 loss-making routes and added that the organisation had 36 offices of labour unions, out of which only 10 offices had been closed. He had no link with any political party and was answerable to Pakistan and Allah Almighty, he added.

He said he would address a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday to present more statistics about the present situation of the PIA.

Responding to a question, he said that three direct flights from Faisalabad to Jeddah would be launched from February 15 while two separate high-level teams would visit the FCCI next week to review expansion of the existing runway and evaluate its cargo potential.

He offered the FCCI to purchase a cargo plane to start first PIA cargo service from Faisalabad. He said that Hajj operation was also expected to start within next 3-4 months. It would be very difficult time for the PIA and it was going to get additional six planes to fulfill the needs of the Hajj operations.

He assured that all unprofitable routes would be closed and air service on new profitable routes would be launched. He said he had been serving as chairman Aeronautical Complex Kamera where, during the last two years, he manufactured and exported eight aircraft.

Regarding landing facility during dense fog, he said the facility was available only at Lahore Air Port and the system was gifted by Qatar.

Regarding delay in dry cargo during mango season, he pledged evolving a policy to avoid any embarrassment to the textile exporters.

About direct flights from Faisalabad to China, he said that it was not possible with the present runway. However, he promised that an incentive package should be evolved to compensate regular customers of the PIA.

Earlier, FCCI President Syed Zia Alumdar Hussain presented the welcome address.

Later, Mian Muhammad Idrees presented an FCCI shield to Air Marshal Arshad Malik while President and Chief Executive of the PIA also presented a model of jetfighter of Pakistan Air Force to FCCI president.

MNA Sheikh Khurram Shehzad, District Manager PIA Qaisar Iqbal, Habib Ahmad Gujjar and Mian Mushtaq Ahmad also attended the meeting.