PIA looking to expand fleet to cover more international destinations
Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA) is preparing for a significant fleet
expansion, according to Arif Habib,
chairman of the Arif Habib Consortium, which owns the airline.
Speaking at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry
(KATI) on Thursday, Mr. Habib said PIA currently has 30 aircraft, of which only
18 are operational, while five to six are undergoing repairs. Efforts are
underway to restore these grounded planes, which would raise the active fleet
to around 26 aircraft. Over the longer term, the airline aims to expand its
fleet to 60 aircraft.
Mr. Habib noted that Pakistan’s economic outlook has improved, with the government increasing revenues, managing expenditures, and servicing debt obligations during the current fiscal year. However, he emphasized that reducing production costs remains essential for sustained growth.
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looking to expand operations to Middle East, Central Asia, and UK
He highlighted high electricity tariffs as a
major burden on industry, attributing them to capacity charges and low
consumption. According to him, fully utilizing the country’s transmission
capacity—exceeding 22,000 megawatts—could lower electricity costs by Rs10 to
Rs12 per unit, provided overall consumption increases.
He also stressed that unity within the
business community would help ensure their concerns receive government
attention. Sectors such as information technology, agriculture, and mining, he
said, have the potential to drive rapid economic recovery.
Meanwhile, Hasan
Bakhshi, chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers
(ABAD), called on businesses to form a consortium to take over and efficiently
manage loss-making public institutions, including the Karachi Water and
Sewerage Board, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, and Sindh Building Control
Authority.
KATI President Muhammad
Ikram Rajput said Pakistan’s global standing has improved, with
decision-making increasingly shifting from abroad to Islamabad. However,
concerns about the investment climate persist.
KATI Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya pointed out that both local and foreign investment remain weak due to bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent policies, which undermine investor confidence.
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plans fleet expansion to enhance flight operations
Zahid Saeed
noted that despite official claims, little progress has been made in addressing
Karachi’s industrial challenges, and promised infrastructure funding has yet to
materialize.
Khalid Tawab added that Pakistan’s international profile has risen following recent geopolitical developments and called for the modernization of Karachi Airport to restore the city’s position as a key regional economic hub.
Source: Dawn