At a time when PIA is in the news for all the bad reasons, the recently concluded Haj operation with an unprecedented successful punctuality record of over 89% is indeed good news. PIA management deserves compliment for such a well planned operation, carried out with its own fleet, without resorting to controversial leasing of aircraft, as has been done in the past.
In the process the airline has saved over $23 million, when the cost of leasing a fleet of 8 aircraft for 2006 Haj operation was valued at over $44 million, while the airline's own fleet was not utilised. This only proves that there is enough talent within PIA to move things forward and get out of the financial mess it has been, provided mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Perhaps it is time that the controversial appointment of various foreign consultants employed over the years be evaluated and their deliverables noted. No purpose was served by hiring of these foreign consultants in the past, nor would any be served if the airline repeats the same mistake.
It is the previous managements and the then top notch executives who are responsible for the mess that the airline is in today. The EU partial ban was a consequence of poor management and absence of professional in house safety audit, which would have prevented the censure. If PIA can carry out the Haj operation so successfully it has the capability, provided the political interference is eradicated along with the various pilferages that has bled it of its revenues and passenger loads.