first Boeing 777 aircraft that has been refurbished at PIA
engineering base at Karachi, operated flight PK 300 to Islamabad. This is an
in-house project to utilize PIA engineering capabilities and all PIA
aircraft will be refurbished. This was stated by Advisor to Prime
Minister on Aviation, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan while talking to media
persons at Islamabad airport.
The in-house
refurbishment done includes new seat covers, change of carpet and deep cabin
cleanliness. He said that detailed upgradation of Five Boeing 777
aircraft has also been planned. These five aircraft will have new
economy and business class seats including upgradation of in flight
entertainment system and one aircraft will be ready by next year.
He further said
that PIA business plan has been prepared and will be presented to the cabinet
division next week. There is a lot of potential in the aviation industry and
the business plan once approved will benefit PIA and positive changes will be
witnessed within the next 2- 3 years. PIA will increase its fleet strength to
50 aircraft by 2019 which is part of the business plan.
Regarding New
York route closure, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed said that in principle, a decision
has been made to temporarily suspend the US operation. However, not
implemented as yet. He also dispelled the rumors regarding downsizing in
PIA but indiscipline and complacency will not be tolerated. He added.
He further
said that the open sky policy though creates competition, but
unfortunately other airlines were given frequencies in the past while not
considering the national airlines. He said that now no new requests
for frequencies are being entertained.
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