PIA CEO hints at good news for the National Flag Carrier
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ISLAMABAD:
PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik on Friday maintained that the national carrier would become a profitable entity in the next few years.
“We are trying to reduce the PIA’s losses with the cooperation of the private sector,” he said while addressing a ceremony where an agreement was signed between the airline and a private bank.
The PIA CEO pointed out that the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) had expressed its satisfaction over the measures taken by the airline in connection with its safety management system.
“We are facing issues because of the coronavirus pandemic but the PIA will soon reach new heights,” he added.
He further said the PIA had reduced fares to provide relief to the people despite facing challenges because of Covid-19.
Last month, the government approved a plan that seeks to lay off over 3,800 regular and contractual employees of the PIA — one out of every three persons — to cut annual losses by Rs4.2 billion.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet approved a Rs12.87 billion Voluntary Separation Scheme (VSS) for PIA employees to be paid in two- and-a-half years’ time.
