The federal government's ambitious move to revive Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has suffered a major blow as management of the national flag carrier is returning premier service aircraft back to Sri Lanka. Airbus-330 was acquired on lease for premier service of PIA. PIA has paid over $19 million to Sri Lankan authorities in terms of wet lease for this aircraft during span of six months.
Stats revealed every flying-hour of Airbus-330 inflicted PIA cost over eight thousand dollars. According to details available, seat and load plan for London-bound flights did not work according to the plan. PIA's Spokesperson Danyal Gilani articulated that aircraft was acquired on market rate.
In August-2016, PIA had acquired three A-330s from Sri Lanka on wet lease in a bid to revive glorious past of the national flag carrier. The aircraft were to be used for the Islamabad-London Premier Service. PIA, a loss-generating entity, often comes under sheer criticism for its irrational expenditures and perpetual flight delays.