Pakistan International Airlines

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Pakistan International Airlines
IATA
PK		 ICAO
PIA		 Callsign
PAKISTAN
Founded 1946 (as Orient Airways)
Hubs
Focus cities
Frequent flyer program PIA Awards Plus +
Fleet size 43 (+7 orders)
Destinations 80
Parent company Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (Government of Pakistan)[1]
Company slogan Come fly with us
Headquarters Karachi, Pakistan
Key people Mr. Ahmed Mukhtar (Chairman)
Mr. Mohammad Aijaz Haroon (MD)
Website: http://www.piac.com.pk

Pakistan International Airlines Corporation, more commonly known as Pakistan International Airlines or PIA (Urdu: پی آئی اے or پاکستان انٹرنیشنل ایرلاینز), is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan, based in Karachi. It is the 16th[2] largest airline in Asia, operating scheduled services to 73 destinations throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, as well as an extensive domestic network linking 24 destinations.[3] Its main bases are Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and the Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The airline also has secondary bases, including Peshawar International Airport, Faisalabad International Airport, Quetta International Airport and Multan International Airport, from which it connects the metropolitan cities with the main bases, the Middle East and the Far East. The airline is owned by the Government of Pakistan (87%) and other shareholders (13%). It has 18,043 employees (at May 2008).

Contents

[edit] History

PIA Fokker F27 - was once the backbone of PIA's northern area flights
PIA Fokker F27 - was once the backbone of PIA's northern area flights

Pakistan International Airlines, or PIA for short, can trace its beginnings to the days when Pakistan still was not a nation. In 1946 Muhammed Ali Jinnah realized the need for an airline network for the forming country and called upon the help of an experienced industrialist Mirza Ahmad Ispahani to develop a flag carrier for the nation. Meanwhile, an airline called Orient Airways, registered in Calcutta, was formed on October 23 1946. In February 1947, the airline brought three DC-3 airplanes from a company in Texas, and in May of that year the airline was granted a license to fly. Services were started in June from Kolkata to Akyab and Rangoon. This was the first post-war airline flight by a South Asian registered airline company[citation needed]. Two months after this service began, Pakistan was formed. Orient Airways began relief flights to the new nation and, soon after, it moved its operations to Karachi, where it began flights to Dhaka on June 7, 1954. In addition, the first two domestic routes in Pakistan were established, from Karachi to Lahore to Peshawar, and from Karachi to Quetta to Lahore.

The Government of Pakistan, realizing the operation was failing economically, proposed that Orient Airways merge into a new national airline. On March 11 1955, Orient Airways merged with the government's proposed airline, becoming Pakistan International Airlines Corporation. During the same year the airline opened its first international service, from Karachi to London Heathrow Airport via Cairo International Airport and Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino, Italy, using the Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation. The DC-3s continued operating the domestic services in Pakistan. In May 1956, PIA ordered two Super Lockheed Constellations and five Vickers Viscount 815. In 1959, Malik Nur Khan was named managing director.

In March 1960, PIA became the first Asian airline to enter the jet age when Boeing 707 services were introduced[citation needed]. The aircraft were wet leased from Pan American and in 1961 services were begun to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. In 1962, orders were placed for Boeing 720's, Fokker F27's and Sikorsky helicopters. One of PIA's own new Boeing 720s broke a world record that year, when it flew from London to Karachi non-stop in 6 hours, 43 minutes, and 55 seconds during its delivery flight from Seattle, piloted by PIA's ace Captain Abdullah Baig, whose record is unbroken to this day. During 1962, services to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) were proving to be difficult, therefore PIA placed their Sikorsky S-61 helicopters on these routes until 1966 when conditions improved. In 1964 history was made again when PIA became the first airline from a non-communist country to fly to the People's Republic of China. As the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 broke out, PIA helped the Pakistani forces with logistics and transport. In 1966, the Viscounts were phased out, substituted by four Tridents. However, as growth surpassed the need for these aircraft they were later sold to Civil Aviation Administration of China.

The 1970s saw the resumption of transatlantic flights and new destinations. It once again aided the Pakistan Army by transporting soldiers to East Pakistan in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971[4] and lost a couple of its aircraft to Indian Air Force fighters.[5]. In 1972 it applied to operate to Libya and an agreement was signed with Yugoslav airline JAT. In 1973, McDonnell Douglas DC-10s arrived and was used by the airline before they were replaced by Boeing 747s. In 1974 air freight services started, as well as a cargo service to New York under the name, Pakistan International Cargo. In 1975, PIA introduced new uniforms for PIA air hostesses, and in 1976, leased Boeing 747s came into service. In 1978, the airline bought their first 747 aircraft, which have since become a staple of the airline's fleet. Also in 1978 the airline provided help to Somali Airlines, Air Malta and Yemenia; and established a hotel management service in the United Arab Emirates. PIA also leased two of its own Boeing 720s to Air Malta during the 70s.

PIA Boeing 747-300 in a superseded colour scheme
PIA Boeing 747-300 in a superseded colour scheme

The 1980s began with the opening of a cargo center in Karachi and the delivery of a new aircraft, Airbus A300B4-203. In 1981, a duty-free sales service was inaugurated. During 1982, the first C and D checks were carried out on the fleet in Karachi. In 1984, domestic coach fare service at night was introduced to offer cheaper prices for low-income passengers. In 1985 the PIA Planetarium tourist attraction was inaugurated in Karachi and later in Lahore. In the same year, five Boeing 737-300s joined the fleet making PIA the first Asian operator of such a type. Two former PIA Boeing 720Bs now form part of the Planetarium's exhibition at Karachi and Lahore. At the start of 1987 and 1988 flights were introduced to Malé and to Toronto Pearson International Airport, respectively. In 1989, the first women pilots started to command passenger flights.

During June 1991, PIA received the first of six Airbus A310-308 aircraft on from Airbus Industrie. In 1992, flights started to Tashkent and in 1993, to Zürich, Switzerland. In addition, PIA became a user of the Sabre, Galileo and Amadeus global distribution systems. During 1994, PIA added more destinations with Jakarta, Fujairah, Baku and Al-Ain and for the first time air safari flights were launched using a Boeing 737-300 over the Karakorom Range. In 1995, a 747 flight simulation system arrived and a used Air France A300 aircraft was bought. In 1996 the airline leased Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft, and re-opened services to Beirut Rafik Hariri International Airport.

PIA only used the Tupolev Tu-154 for a very short time to deal with the additional demand during the summer of 1996. In 1999, PIA leased five Boeing 747-300 aircraft from Cathay Pacific to replace its aging Boeing 747-200 aircraft. The aircraft wore a new livery with a Pashmina tail and white body, and large Pakistan titles on the front fuselage. The livery was applied to some of the fleet during the 90s but due to copyright problems the livery was dropped. The Boeing 747-300s remained in the new look but with a plain green tail with PIA titles, however, the other aircraft in the fleet were repainted in the 1990s livery.

In July 2002, PIA purchased six Boeing 747-300 aircraft from Cathay Pacific, five of which were already on lease with PIA. The sixth arrived shortly after and PIA operated the six aircraft mainly on the North American and European routes. Later after a period of ten years of no new orders in October 2002, the airline purchased eight Boeing 777 aircraft from The Boeing Company, including three 200 ER (Extended Range), two 200 LR (Longer Range) and three 300 ER versions. PIA was the launch customer that revived the Boeing 777-200LR project that, until then, only had three orders by EVA Air. The first two Boeing 777-200LR produced were test aircraft used by Boeing, before they were delivered to PIA. One of these Boeing 777-200LR was displayed at the Paris Airshow during 2005.

During 2004, PIA took delivery of its first Boeing 777 aircraft in January, where the aircraft flew from Seattle to Islamabad via London Heathrow. By March of the same year all three B777-200ER variants that had been ordered were delivered and operating flights to UK, North America and USA. On delivery of the first three Boeing 777s the airline introduced a new livery to its fleet, which was later applied to the majority of the fleet. PIA also acquired six half life Airbus A310-300/ET from the Airbus management on a ten year lease agreement. On November 3, 2005 PIA signed an agreement with the aircraft manufacturer, ATR to purchase seven ATR42-500. The aircraft were purchased to replace the aging F-27 aircraft. The seven ATR aircraft were delivered between 2006 and 2007.[citation needed] On 6 December 2005, PIA leased an additional new Boeing 777 from the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The aircraft had the same specifications as the previous Boeing 777-200ER that PIA operated. The aircraft was delivered in January 2007 and on lease for ten years to the airline. On February 25, 2006 Boeing delivered its first B777-200LR Worldliner to PIA, where it flew from Everett to Islamabad via Manchester, England. Since the long range Boeing 777 can operate further PIA started direct, nonstop flights from Toronto to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore from March 3, 2006. PIA planned non-stop flights to New York City and other US cities with sizable Pakistani population centers, but was not given permission due to security reasons. PIA received the delivery of its second Boeing 777-200LR on March 23, 2006. On May 31, 2006, PIA took delivery of its first ATR aircraft from Toulouse, France. On December 23, 2006, PIA took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER that flew from Seattle to Islamabad via Manchester. As a result of the arrival of a second ATR 42-500 PIA has ceased using military Lockheed C-130 Hercules for passenger services in the north of Pakistan, used after its Fokker F27 fleet was grounded after a fatal crash in July 2006. This had also prompted PIA to move Boeing 737-300 aircraft from international to domestic services.

A selection of PIA's fleet at Islamabad International Airport
A selection of PIA's fleet at Islamabad International Airport

On March 5, 2007, the European Commission banned all but eight planes of PIA's 44-planes fleet flying to Europe citing safety concerns. PIA was blacklisted by 27 European Union states.[6] The remaining eight, namely the fleet of 777s, has been exempted from the ban.[7] PIA claims that this is discriminatory and the bans are not justifiable. Because of the EU ban, Pakistan is losing dominance for flights from Europe to the Near-East or Pakistan because Etihad Airways and Emirates Airline are winning passengers for this route.[7] The airline is urgently seeking to wet lease widebody aircraft. It is currently operating long-haul services with its eight Boeing 777 aircraft and two wet leased Airbus A310[8]. On March 26, 2007, Tariq Saeed Kirmani resigned after severe pressure from higher authorities because of the EU ban, including disagreements with the engineering department, as well as the poor findings for the July 2006 Fokker crash investigation. Zafar Khan has been appointed as new Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines, he was previously the chairman of Karachi Stock Exchange[9] [10] A team from the European Union is due to visit Karachi in July, 2007, to check the condition of the planes at the time and review the ban. PIA have grounded 8 aircraft (5 A310's and 3 B747's) and are conducting maintenance work on them to bring them according to the E.U standards. EU ban on PIA airbuses may last till November, 2007. [11] On July 5, 2007, the EU lifted the restriction on eleven aircraft that PIA could fly into Europe of which five were Boeing 747's and six Airbus A310s. [12]. On August 10, 2007, PIA signed an agreement with Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO) to lease seven Airbus A320 to replace its Boeing 737-300 fleet. The deliveries are expected in 2009 and will be completed in the same year.[13] On November 29, 2007, The EU completely lifted the ban on PIA and stated they were happy with the conditions of the fleet.[14]. On March 19, 2008, PIA decided to retire its Boeing 747 fleet due to rising fuel costs and placed the aircraft for sale. [15]. In the previous month, the airline stored two of its Boeing 747s at Sialkot. On May 7, 2008 M. Aijaz Haroon was appointed the new managing director.[16] On May 21, 2008 the airline decided to re-introduce the Boeing 747s and permenantly scrapping one. [17]

On Tuesday, June 10th 2008 PIA announced that there are to commence a new 2 times weekly service to Leeds/Bradford Airport in the UK. Flights will commence on July 02nd 2008 and will operate every Wednesday and Saturday by an Airbus A310 aircraft.

[edit] Privatization

PIA is owned by the government of Pakistan. The privatisation of PIA has been announced but was never implemented by the government. Though PIA reported a total turnover of $1 billion in 2005, profitability was affected due to doubling of global fuel prices since 2000. [18] The high oil prices have increased yearly losses. In first six months of 2006, PIA has lost $100 million dollars (Rs. 6 billion). Another source of PIA's inefficiency has been the over-staffing of employees over the past 10-20 years that have crippled the organisations finances. Another reason for losses in PIA is that the higher officials of PIA tend to go abroad with their families on the expense of PIA.[19] Back door discussions with potential buyers continue without any positive result. Following the global trend, several steps towards outsourcing of non-core business have been initiated. Catering units (starting with Karachi Flight Kitchen), Ground Handling (starting with Ramp Services) and Engineering, are to be gradually carved out of the airline and operated as independent companies.

[edit] Financial performance

During the first quarter of 2007, the airline achieved a 5% growth in overall revenue mainly supported by 7.6% increase in passenger revenue which was partially lowered by a 10% reduction in cargo revenue. The revenue growth was reduced due to the EU ban from early March which meant only the Boeing 777 were able to operate into Europe. This caused many of the European services to be put on hold until the aircraft that were considered to be inefficient to be brought up to EU standards so they can continue flying. Even with the fuel cost remaining at the 2006 level due to stable oil prices in the first quarter 2007, the operating and financing cost increased in proportion. The impact of the 2006 salary rise, increased cost of leased aircraft and higher maintenance cost of the PIA fleet increased the overall operating expenses by 19%. Consequently, the airline suffered an operating loss of Rs 2.5 billion in the first quarter.

[edit] Destinations

PIA 747 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. PIA suspended Houston in 2006 .
PIA 747 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. PIA suspended Houston in 2006 [21].

[edit] Codeshare services

PIA have code share agreements with the following:

[edit] Services

[edit] Newspapers and Magazines

Newspapers and magazines are available to all Business Plus & Economy Plus class passengers on PIA flights. Free newspapers are also provided to all Economy class passengers. The PIA in-flight magazine, Hamsafar, is provided to all passengers on all international flights. Humsafar was introduced on PIA flights in 1980 and it is published bi-monthly.

[edit] Frequent flyer programme

PIA Awards Plus+ is the frequent flyer programme. The programme allows passengers to get free tickets, excess baggage vouchers, cabin upgrades, and a variety of rewards and special deals. Awards Plus+ offers three tiers of membership to frequent flyers - Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond. Awards Plus+ miles can be earned by flying PIA, and by using the products of PIA's partners.

[edit] Fleet

Pakistan International Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (as of May 2008)[22]:

Type Total Passenger
(Business/Economy+/Economy)		 Routes Notes
Airbus A310-300 12 184
(12/40/132)
205
(18/43/144)
(18/45/142)		 long, medium and short haul
(Europe, Far East, Gulf, Subcontinent, domestic)		 6 leased
from Airbus Industrie To be Phased out from 2010
ATR 42-500 7 48
(0/8/40)		 short haul
(Gulf, domestic)
Boeing 737-300 7 118
(0/24/94)
119
(0/27/92)		 short haul
(Gulf, Subcontinent, domestic)		 Phase out from 2009
Boeing 747-300 5 433
(45/60/328)		 short and medium haul
(Saudi Arabia, domestic)
Boeing 777-200ER 4 320
(35/45/240)
329
(35/54/240)		 long and medium haul
(Europe, Gulf, USA, domestic)		 1 leased
from ILFC
Boeing 777-200LR 2 310
(35/60/215)		 short and ultra-long haul
(Gulf, North America, UK, domestic)
Boeing 777-300ER 3 393
(35/54/304)		 long and medium haul
(Gulf, UK, USA, domestic)
40 Updated May 2008

[edit] Ordered aircraft

[edit] Future fleet plans

PIA are planning to add 3 more aircraft, said to be used 777s being sought through Boeing, in addition to the 7 A320s on order, making a total of 10 to be brought in the next two years. [23]

[edit] Livery

Boeing 777-300
Boeing 777-300

In December 2003 PIA introduced a new image that was applied to their first 777-200ER [24] and on two leased A310-300s one of which was in service, due to negative feedback the design on the 777 and single A310 was modified before delivery to PIA with the tail being painted beige and a flowing Pakistan flag added to it, PIA acronym was enlarged and moved onto the fuselage, the other A310 continued operating in the original version for a while before being repainted.

In early 2006 the airline decided to launch four new tail designs for its fleet, the tails represented the four provinces of Pakistan: Sindh, Punjab, North West Frontier Province and Balochistan.[25]. The tails were to promote the different cultures of the four provinces of Pakistan by applying motifs to the tails and adding a city name to the rear of the fuselage corresponding to the province. A "Destination Pakistan 2007 Logo was added below the cockpit of most aircraft. The "Frontier" tail represents the "Phulkari" (flowering) pattern that reflects a rich and colorful tradition of embroidery generally done on shawls, shirts and linen. The "Punjab" tail is loosely related to the exquisite tile decoration of the Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore. The "Balochistan" tail is a striking and colorful reflection of robust creativity is seen in the kilims, carpets and rugs woven with wool, goat or camel hair and mixed yarn. The pattern is mostly bold geometric motifs in primary colors dominated by red. The "Sindh" tail was influenced from the Hala tile work with electric blue and white floral patterns.

[edit] Cargo operations

PIA also operates an extensive cargo delivery system within Pakistan. During the early 1970s, PIA operated a service called "Air Express" that delivered documents and parcels from one airport to another. Pakistan International Cargo was started in 1974 using two Boeing 707-320C, with services to the Middle East and Europe. The operations ended in the late 1990s when both aircraft were grounded. PIA Cargo transports a range of goods across Pakistan as well as to international destinations. These include meat and vegetables, textiles, paper products and laboratory equipment.

It was only until 2003, PIA decided to launch a full courier service and introducing "PIA Speedex". The services was started in the three cities; Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, expanding in a year to twelve cities. Today, the airline offers over seventy locations within Pakistan with shipments collected and delivered from customer homes. From 2004 to September 2007 PIA Cargo operated two Airbus A300 Freighter aircraft through MNG Airlines under wetlease/ACMI to Haan and Luton, initially these also operated to Amsterdam, Basel and Cologne.

[edit] Marketing and sponsorships

  • Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) supports a first-class cricket team that plays in the ABN AMRO Patron's Trophy in Pakistan.
  • PIA is also sponsoring the Pakistani team for the A1 Grand Prix.
  • PIA also promotes the Shandur Polo Gala, that takes place every year in the Chitral and Gilgit regions of northern Pakistan during the summer period.[26]
  • PIA is one of the official sponsors of the "Destination Pakistan 2007" festivals.[27]
  • PIA also has its own Boy Scouts Association (PIA-BSA) working in partnership with Pakistan Boy Scouts Association. After the earthquake, PIA-BSA was working in partnership with other charity organisations to provide relief help.
  • PIA Planetariums located in Karachi and Lahore are owned by PIA, which enable the public to see static aircraft as well as astronomy shows.
  • PIA Horticulture, set up in 1996, provides flowers for display in PIA's offices and for a range of events, winning several awards and accolades at flower exhibitions across the country.
  • PIA also supports non-profit organisations within Pakistan such as; Al-Shifa Trust, Zindagi Trust, The Citizens Foundation and Sind Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). [28]

[edit] Achievements and recognitions

[edit] Symbolism

PIA is the National Airline of Pakistan

[edit] Special operations

[edit] Charter services

PIA operates private charter flights using ATR 42 to Kadanwari and Sawan Gas field in Sindh as well as other parts of the country on behalf of oil companies. Adhoc Charters for United Nations peace keeping troops are also carried out to Africa using Boeing 747s.

[edit] Hajj and Umrah operations

PIA operates a two-month (pre and post) Hajj operation each year to and from Jeddah and sometimes Madinah in Saudi Arabia. PIA transports 130,000 pilgrims each year from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Sukkur to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In order to deal with the demand the airline leases many different aircraft including Boeing 747-200s, Airbus A321s, Airbus A300B2s and Boeing 737-400s.

[edit] Head of state transportation

PIA has always transported the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan on overseas visits. During the late 1990s, a PIA Boeing 737-300[30] was used for official visits by the Bhutto and Sharif governments. The aircraft wore official government colours but was later repainted in the airline official colours at the end of the decade.

When the government changed after a military coup in 1999, the Boeing B737 was transferred to PIA permanently. The President and Prime Minister then resorted to using two of PIA's Airbus A310-300 for official visits, while rare trips were done on regular commercial flights of the airline. In February 2007 the government of Qatar gifted one of their VIP fleet A310[31] to the Pakistani government, this has ended the need for use of PIA aircraft. However, from time to time the government does occasionally use the airlines Boeing 737 or Airbus A310 for official trips.

[edit] Incidents and accidents

[edit] Gallery

1960s Logo

1990s Logo

1990s Logo (Version 2)

2000s Logo

Current Logo

PIA Awards+ Plus Logo

PIA Speedex Courier Logo

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Annual Report 2006 (Part-I) (PDF). Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (2007-04-03). Retrieved on 2007-08-14.
  2. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_airlines_in_Asia
  3. ^ "Directory: World Airlines", Flight International, 2007-04-10, p. 61. 
  4. ^ The Evolution of The Pakistan Army By Brig. (Ret.) Noor A. Husain
  5. ^ Aircraft Losses In Pakistan -1971 War (PAF, Army Aviation, and Civilian aircraft Casualties) - by P V S Jagan Mohan
  6. ^ E.U. to ban PIA
  7. ^ a b EU banes Pakistan airline flights - BBC News - Obtained March 5, 2007.
  8. ^ Flight International 27 March 2007
  9. ^ PIA chairman steps down - Jang Newspapers
  10. ^ Zaffar Khan new CEO of Pakistan International Airlines - Jang Newspapers
  11. ^ EU ban on PIA airbuses may last till November
  12. ^ Pakstrategy: E.U. Lifts ban on Eleven PIA Planes
  13. ^ PIA to get seven new Airbus A320-200 - Associated Press of Pakistan
  14. ^ EU Lifts ban on PIA Brecorder Newspapers, Accessed December 1, 2007
  15. ^ PIA grounds jumbos to cut fuel bill
  16. ^ Aijaz takes over as PIA MD Dawn Newspapers Accessed 16 May 2008
  17. ^ Grounded PIA Jumbo Jets flying again - Jang Newspapers, Accessed 22-05-2008
  18. ^ Pakistan International Airlines Annual Reports, 2005 Brecorder Financial Newspaper,
  19. ^ PIA suffers over Rs 6 billion loss
  20. ^ PIA - Origin Specific Flight Schedule
  21. ^ [1]
  22. ^ PIA website: About Fleet, [2], [3]
  23. ^ PIA to induct 10 aircraft in 2 years
  24. ^ Pre-delivery colours on the Boeing 777-200/ER at Everett
  25. ^ PIA launches four new tails
  26. ^ Enjoy the spectacular shandur Polo Gala 2007-07-07
  27. ^ PIA: Make Pakistan Your Next Destination, 2007
  28. ^ Corporate Social Responsibility within PIA
  29. ^ PIA’s Flight Kitchen Karachi Awarded HACCP Certification
  30. ^ "AP-BEH" PIA B737 in Government Colours
  31. ^ Airliners.net: Pakistan Air Force A310-304

[edit] Additional references

[edit] External links

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