PIA to enlarge fleet by addition of four new aircraft

KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has projected to enlarge its fleet with the addition of four new aircraft, which will benefit PIA to fly on Sialkot-Barcelona and Lahore-Bangkok routes.

PIA President and CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik, during his address to PIA employees at the airline’s head office informed that, PIA has initiated on the fleet enlargement plan and in some time it will inflate its access around the globe.

He added, “PIA is soon to initiate flights on latest routes. We have by now initiated Sialkot-Sharjah and Lahore-Muscat routes and the outcome is very encouraging. We will sternly follow route rationalization policy and fresh viable itinerary will be introduced.”

According to details provided by PIA spokesperson Mashhood Tajwar, the airline will be capable to induct the new aircraft according to the aviation policy by the middle of next year, since inducting an aircraft is a complex process, as it mainly depends upon the availability of aircraft and then the feasibility of price.

However, the PIA administration is seeking for both wide and narrow body aircraft, as narrow-body aircraft have a capacity of 150 to 250 seats with a single aisle, whereas wide-body airplanes can hold 250 passengers and beyond with multiple aisles.

PIA will take decision based on best tender offered, as it’s a combination of availability & feasibility. Also, PIA is interested in taking the aircraft on dry lease.

According to a Boeing report on aircraft finance market 2018, almost 40% of the world’s aircraft fleet is on lease than owned by airlines.

Presently, PIA has a fleet of 32 aircraft and runs 110 to 120 flights per day. So, the new addition will boost it to 36 aircraft, which will increase the number of flights due to increase in new routes.