PIA's new livery has created a controversy, both for the colour scheme of Pakistan's flag and design on the fuselage.
The design of the new livery was suggested by Boeing, who had previously proposed the same to ELAL, the national flag carrier of Israel.
The original design proposed by Boeing for PIA, has been painted on the leased A310. Those who may like to verify this, may kindly go to this web-site, for the original livery design proposed by Boeing.
This web site is:- "www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=212138."
This is a photograph of the PIA Boeing 777 painted by Boeing, with registration AP-BGJ. If you click underneath this photograph to the "Boeing 777 more," you will see after a few pages the ELAL new livery.
You can also view this on ELAL website (www.elal-). Then go to the PIA web to view the livery, which is re-painted on its B-777s.
The change in the new livery was made only ten days prior to the delivery, on specific instructions of the MD.
The diagonal dark green painted strip on PIA's new fleet, resembles the ELAL livery. It is indeed very difficult to differentiate between these two airlines, when viewed from a distance.
Apart from the emotional discomfort caused by similarities of the livery of PIA and ELAL fleet, it is a serious security risk.
Everybody is well aware of the various attempts made by various groups on ELAL aircraft.
The tampering of colours of national flag, painted on the tail of PIA's new fleet, is a matter of serious concern also.
We are surprised that Islamabad has not reacted to this sacrilege of the Pakistani flag. Perhaps it would be fair to assume, that this has blessings of the man on the hill.
The powerful green card lobby that dominates PIA's head office, has finally succeded in showing its allegiance to the "stars and stripes." It is rumoured that to cover up all this, a junior staffer has been given a cash award of Rs 50, 000/, for design of PIA's new livery.
One wonders how PIA will handle these new high tech aircraft, given the deplorable level and medioce intellect of its management.
PIA's passengers are perturbed by the insensitivity of its management to the emotional and security concerns of its clientele.