PIA management directed to submit restoration and revival plan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday directed senior management of the Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to develop a comprehensive two-year plan for restoration by 26 January.

The federal minister chairing a meeting on special committee formed by Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal government to supervise reforms of PIA, said that that 2017 will be the year of the restoration and revival of the national airline.

Ahsan Iqbal said that it is imperative to develop a ‘Fleet to Service’ master plan to receive tangible outcomes and improve the financial health of the PIA.

He instructed that a comprehensive two-year plan should be presented by senior management of the PIA by January 26, which will be sent to the prime minister.

Mr. Iqbal said a clear and shared vision, strict adherence to merit, human resource development, accountability, and focus on core functions and customer service are essential elements to make PIA a world class airline.

He called it the last opportunity for employees and management to fix and turnaround PIA as the airline has strong fundamental but had become a loss making machine due to under management and politicisation in the past.

He said no effort will succeed without a clear roadmap and business model, but it is necessary to make accountability compulsory and continuously measure performance.

He stressed that PIA cannot be run as a government department. He said that airline’s loss-making routes will be given attention and more aircraft will be added to bring back customers.