PIA to add eight new planes in 2025
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to add eight aircraft to its fleet in 2025, according to CEO Khurram Mushtaq. The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Aviation, chaired by MNA Nawabzada Iftikhar Ahmed Khan Babar, at Islamabad International Airport.
In his briefing, the CEO revealed that the new additions would include
wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft intended for long-haul routes. He also confirmed
that PIA’s operations to Europe will resume after a four-year hiatus, with
flights to Paris beginning on January 10, 2025. The airline will operate two
flights per week on this route, supported by a partnership with Air France to
facilitate onward connections across Europe.
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Mushtaq assured the committee that improvements had already been made to the
quality of in-flight meals following passenger complaints. Additionally, PIA
will resume daily flights from Karachi to Sukkur starting today, though
domestic air travel demand has decreased due to motorway expansions.
Airport Development Updates
The Pakistan Airports Authority Director General provided an update on
airport development projects, highlighting completed upgrades to the runways at
Lahore and Quetta airports, along with improvements to parking and
transportation facilities at Quetta airport.
Despite these efforts, committee members expressed dissatisfaction with the
progress of ongoing projects. A sub-committee has been formed to oversee these
initiatives, consisting of MNAs Dr. Mahreen Razzaq Bhutto (convener), Abdul
Aleem Khan, Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, and Ramesh Lal. The sub-committee will
evaluate the projects in detail to ensure accountability and progress.
Multan Flying Club Issues
The committee expressed frustration over the continued absence of the
secretary/president of the Multan Flying Club, who has repeatedly failed to
attend meetings. The official has been summoned to the next session, scheduled
for January 9 in Multan, to address unresolved issues including student fee
refunds and employee concerns.
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Harassment Allegations in
Dubai
The committee also reviewed the initial findings of an inquiry into
harassment allegations against a PIA official in Dubai. A female employee of a
Dubai-based handling agency accused the airline’s regional sales manager of
harassment. However, the complaint was withdrawn, and the initial inquiry
cleared the accused due to a lack of evidence.
Sources suggested the incident stemmed from a personal relationship between
the accused and the complainant, which reportedly led to a quarrel. A senior
PIA official noted that insufficient evidence was available to substantiate the
allegations.
The committee has requested a detailed fact-finding report from PIA for
further review during its next meeting.
The session was attended by members of the National Assembly, senators, and
officials from the Aviation Division and its associated departments.
Source: Dawn