Managing Director PIA, Captain Muhammad Aijaz Haroon said that PIA has registered a growth of 13.5 percent in revenue per passenger per kilometre over 2009 with a seat factor of 78.4 percent against 74.1 percent during first quarter of 2009. He was addressing a ceremony to award PIA's top performing travel agents of Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions.
This remarkable achievement would have never been possible without the co-operation of our business partners. MD PIA acknowledged. MD PIA commended the PIA officers and staff of Lahore region for achieving highest sales as compared to other regions. He said that despite a global turmoil in the aviation industry PIA's performance in the first quarter has been quite encouraging.
In all twenty PIA Travel Agents of Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions were awarded shields for achieving high sales. The Top Three Best Performing PIA Travel Agents of Lahore were Bukhari Travels, International Travels and American Express Travel Services. Whereas the Top Three Best Performing PIA Travel Agents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi were Shaukat Travels, Bukhari Travels and Greenhill Travels. The top performing travel agents were also awarded free tickets to Chicago for their extra ordinary Sales achievements.
MD PIA assured the PIA Travel agents of the airline's full support and co-operation; together we can make a difference and take PIA to greater heights and achievements beneficial for all stakeholders. He said that foreign airlines were given access to operate flights from Pakistan and in reciprocity corresponding advantages are being denied to PIA.
He further said that PIA was pleased to announce the commencement of its flights to Chicago from June 2, 2010. PIA will operate two weekly flights from Pakistan to Chicago via Barcelona, every Wednesday from Lahore and every Saturday from Islamabad & Karachi. Besides this PIA will be the only airline operating Non stop to USA from Barcelona. Thousands of both American and Spanish tourists and businessmen are expected to avail this opportunity at very reasonable fares, he added.
Director Marketing PIA, Imran Ahmed Khan congratulated the Travel Agents of Lahore and Rawalpindi/ Islamabad region and the PIA marketing team on achieving the Sales Targets. With the entire PIA Marketing and Sales Team and Support functions coupled with the combined efforts of PIA Travel Agents, there is no doubt that PIA's Chicago route will be another viable profit generating route. District Manager PIA, Mansoor Mela also spoke on the occasion. The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the airline and notables of the travel and tourism industry.-PR