Approximately three years after the new management took over, we are celebrating the award of Part-145 approval to PIA's Engineering department, and its international acceptance and designation as an approved maintenance organisation.
To me, the turn-around in the Engineering Department is nothing short of a miracle; and, of course, I am delighted at this dramatic improvement in such a short span of time.
Obviously, if Engineering is good, our product will be good and it is only then that we can begin to show an improved image to our customers. I, therefore, am up front in congratulating the entire Engineering Department for an excellent job done.
All of us in PIA are very proud of this landmark achievement, and since we are the national flag carrier I am sure the nation will joint us in celebrating this event.
Obtaining Part-145 approval has not been an easy task, specially after the formation of EASA and the stricter objectives of the approval system. But Engineering department has proved equal to the task, and demonstrated to the entire world that they are as good as any other maintenance organisation.
The fact that they have achieved certification on the first attempt is an even more applaud-able and notable feat. I know of many front-line airlines that failed to do so.
I have very closely followed the tremendous efforts, all engineers, technicians and personnel of Engineering department have expended in the last two years to reach this stage. I have seen the improvement of the facilities and shops, the working methodologies, shops, and observed the dedication with which Engineering personnel have accomplished their tasks.
The tremendous feat of re-organisation of all the technical stores and stock taking of our inventory has been commended by even the Board of Directors. I remember, during their de-brief to me, the EASA auditors said two important facts which remain with me.
First, that Engineering Departments' Maintenance Organisation Exposition is "near perfect" and, second, that our tool stores and Technical stores are the best they have ever seen.
Let this occasion be an ideal opportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to achieve even loftier goals in the future. The most important is to ensure that we retain Part-145 approval for all times to come.