KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has said that its premier service has improved the image of the national airline, PIA spokesman said on Friday.
The national flag carrier’s service has also played a key role to regain its market share both internationally as well as domestically, which increased by 22% on domestic flights and 3% on international sectors in 2016.
“More than 1 million additional passengers traveled on PIA as compared to the previous year,” the spokesman revealed.
The airline’s spokesman added that this is evident of the improved image of the national airline, which has also received excellent feedback on all aspects of service of PIA Premier.
About A-330 aircraft
The spokesman also clarified that the brand new A-330 aircraft acquired in August this year to start the Premier Service was obtained in a transparent manner, on market price, and strictly in accordance with Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
He explained that this is a new service and will take time to become profitable, but has played an important role to regain passenger confidence and improve its brand image.
He also clarified that obtaining the new aircraft on wet lease was a compulsion due to lack of trained pilots and crew.
With the passage of time, the spokesman stated, and as their personnel get trained the plane would be converted to dry lease and more similar aircraft would also be acquired on dry lease.
The Premier Service was launched in August from Islamabad to London with improved facilities and service standards. This was part of efforts undertaken to revive the fledgling national airline.
The aircraft for the service were acquired on wet lease from Sri Lanka, which was negotiated by PIACEO Bernd Hildrenbrand.
