PIA new business plan: 18 new aircrafts and new international routes

PIA new business plan: 18 new aircrafts and new international routes

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had announced to finalize its comprehensive business plan by the end of March.

As the given time approaches, the draft business plan of the national flag carrier has entered its final phase of completion.

Under this plan, the fleet of the flag bearer will increase from 32 to 50 in the next five years. The new airplanes will be procured on a lease.

The plan has also proposed strategies and recommendations to contain financial losses. These proposals include the closure of loss-making routes and the revival of potentially profit-making routes. ------------------------------

After the draft plan gets finalized, it will be sent to the federal cabinet for approval. The plan has also proposed a reduction in the operational expenses of the national carrier. The cuts on the expenses will save Rs. 2.77 billion in the annual expenditure.

Apart from the said cuts, further expense reduction is also planned over the next five years. The plan also recommends enhancing the number of routes operated by PIA under the open sky policy.

It further proposed to reduce the fee charged by the Civil Aviation Authority while suggesting the payment should be made in Pakistani rupees instead of the US dollars.

The PIA high-ups have also proposed to bring back six grounded planes after their overhauling and maintenance. These planes include two 777s, two A320s, and two ATRs.

Another proposition made in the plan is the rationalization of PIA’s booking offices and shifting of its oil depot from Karachi to Islamabad.