PIA is an organisation riddled by mismanagement, kickbacks, nepotism and political interference by every sitting government, including the present one. Those promoted on the basis of recommendations and lacking professional skills cannot be expected to deliver. Men of mediocre calibre dominate the airline's executive corridors.
Recruitment's tainted with controversy, have further aggravated a depleted human resource, which forms the backbone of every organisation. It is time to put a freeze on quotas reserved for unqualified sons of elite and airline senior employees, for recruitment to various cadres.
Business plans alone cannot deliver, especially when the architects are the same individuals. If PIA were to suspend its Marketing setup and rely solely on e-ticketing, travel agents etc, it would at least save billions on revenue pilferage by errant officials, well entrenched on the strength of political backing.
Bad deals, inflated price tags and abuse of discretionary powers have plagued this airline, inspite of a large, loyal clientiele base and abundant homebase revenue cargo.
All that PIA has to do, is to retain bulk of this traffic, by providing a courteous, consumer-friendly ticketing and affordable schedule, tailored to its client requirements.
Bulk of PIA revenue generates from northern hubs within Pakistan, and Gulf/ Mid-East region. In Europe our revenue comes from Manchestor, London, Oslo and Copenhagen, while trans-Atlantic routes are not even break-even. Cabin interiors that smell of leaking toilets, seats that do not recline, inflight entertainment system that does not work, and frozen factory style food are areas that need major overhaul.
New aircraft that the airline cannot maintain have become more of a problem than remedy, given the huge instalments that are to be paid.
PIA has the highest rate of accidents involving Ground Support Equipment and vehicles, serving departing/arriving aircraft.
There have been at least 7 major accidents involving Boeing 777s alone on the ground. Nothing has been done, except mere cover-up enquiries conducted by unprofessional officials.
Promotion of pilots, a routine matter, was never so controversial, as it was made during the last three years.
All those involved in fudging figures and controversial purchase and leasing deals must be sacked and proceeded against, if PIA plans to make fresh beginning. Putting the blame solely on past CEOs will not resolve the issue.
The new chairman must get over this onslaught of presentations, where rosy pictures are presented, because this facade will not yield any fruit. He needs honest executives, who are not involved in groupings, revenue pilferage etc. A foreign airline executive should be the best option.
The irregular decisions, which contravene airline rules and regulations, must be undone.
A way out is perhaps selective early retirements.
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