KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is saving more than Rs20million a month after taking some austerity measures.

The total may mount to Rs 240 million saving annually.

The national flag carrier witnessed changes in its management many a timein 2018, including its chief executive officer (CEO) who was changed fourtimes. Current CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik, who has served the PakistanAir Force (PAF) for 40 years, is taking his salary from the PAF and avoidstaking any perks from PIA.

The previous CEO was getting around Rs2 million. Similarly, the chiefoperating officer (COO) used to get Rs1.5 million, chief commercial officer(CCO) Rs1.5 million, chief legal officer (CLO) Rs1.7 million, chief humanresources officer (CHRO) Rs1.5 million and chief security officer (CSO)more than a million. Along with such high salaries, these people were givenperks of about Rs5 million.

Other than that, the airline had given vehicles to its staff members,mostly union leaders, and they used to get fuel reimbursement as well. PIAretrieved 20 vehicles on which fuel worth around Rs500,000 was consumed.The information and communications technology (ICT) is also helping PIAreduce its expenditure.

The airline has cut down on unnecessary official foreign tours by itsofficials for business deals and saved expenditure on airfares and stay atexpensive hotels. “Now, these officials will handle such matters throughvideo conference, Skype or email where physical presence is not necessary,”said PIA spokesman Mashhood Tajwar. “Officials will only go overseas wheretheir presence cannot be avoided.”

PIA’s new IT software, developed by a leading Turkish IT solutions company– Hitit Computer Services, is not only helping the airline increase travelbookings, but is also resulting in savings. The software helps inreservations, inventory control, ticketing and check-in procedures, flightoperations, scheduling, revenue management, accounting, crew management,etc.

“This whole calculation comes in at more than Rs20 million,” said the PIAspokesperson while talking to The Express Tribune.