ISLAMABAD (APP): Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in a move to regain its lost glory has decided to launch premier service at some of the selected roots on country's Independence Day (August 14) this year.
PIA Spokesman Danyal Gillani when contacted to shed light on the details about the new services on Thursday said the service would be initiated on some of the domestic routes and a few of the international routes initially.
However, he said "The airline is in the process of finalizing the modalities and I will only be in a position to divulge details once these are finalized," he said.
Gillani said PIA is negotiating with Sri Lankan Airlines for the lease of four A-330 aircraft. PIA had advertised for leasing wide body aircraft last month and Sri Lanka's national carrier expressed interest in leasing out its four new wide body A-330 aircraft to PIA.
Therefore, he said, a high-level team of PIA led by CEO Bernd Hildenbrand recently visited Colombo to inspect these aircraft and to negotiate contract.
These aircraft would primarily be used for PIA's premier service which is being launched from mid next month.
"With new aircraft, more professional crew and improved service standards, the new service aims at providing an altogether different experience to passengers.
"This service will go a long way in helping PIA regain its market share both domestically as well as internationally."
Meanwhile, a press release issued by PIA stated that due to a major breakdown of baggage handling system at Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport London, thousands of pieces of check-in baggage has been left behind, affecting all flights landing or taking off from there, including those of Emirates, Gulf Air, Cathay Pacific,Virgin and dozens of other airlines.
This breakdown also affected PIA and about 700 pieces of baggage of passengers traveling on PK-788 and PK-786 could not be loaded on the aircraft.
"PIA regrets this inconvenience caused to passengers and is making all out efforts to ensure that all of the above bags are rushed on next direct available flights from Heathrow Airport", it added.