Advisor to Prime Minister on Aviation, Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan has directed the management of PIA to take all necessary steps to bring the airline at par with international standards so that it can regain its past glory. He was speaking at PIACL headquarters during his visit, here on Tuesday. Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan said there should be no compromise on safety and management should ensure that all decisions were taken on merit and in a transparent and efficient manner.
He said that PIA was being supported from taxpayers' kitty hence every possible step should be taken to reduce its losses and improve profitability. Moreover, he said that the government had come to the rescue of the national flag carrier many times and there was a dire need for a concrete solution for the problems being faced by PIA. He sought recommendations from the management for bringing about improvement in all departments of the airline.
Advisor to PM further said modern technology should be top priority for PIA and maximum funds invested in this area and added that existing systems should be improved, new systems developed and followed to bring about efficiency and productivity in all areas.
Earlier, CEO Bernd Hildenbrand presented an overview on the working of various PIA departments, which was followed by individual presentations by Flight Operations, Fleet Planning, Marketing, Flight Safety, Engineering and Maintenance departments as well as PIA Training Center. Remaining departments would deliver their presentations on Wednesday (today).
During his briefing, the CEO said that aviation was one of the most dynamic industries in the world and airlines have to keep pace with technological advancements all the time. He said that PIA was part of the legacy carriers, some of which disappeared because they did not adapt to the changing environment. He talked about the challenges being faced by PIA and gave a SWOT analysis of the airline.
He said that PIA was planning to add further narrow and wide body aircraft this year besides increasing more destinations in the months to enhance frequency on existing profitable routes. The CEO said that PIA's goal was to reach a stage of operational breakeven as soon as possible and termed repayment of legacy loans as the biggest challenge being faced by the airline.
The Advisor to PM was also informed about improved regularity and punctuality as well as the initiatives taken for aircraft cabin cleanliness, providing better in-flight menu and expansion of network. He was further informed that last year 1.1 million more passengers travelled on PIA as compared to 2015, while PIA's domestic market share increased by 19 per cent and international by 3% during this period. PIACL Board Member, Syed Yawar Ali and secretary aviation and acting chairman PIACL, Irfan Elahi were also present in the meeting.