Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is actively working to enhance and restore its fleet, with intentions to increase the number to 60 aircraft as part of its ongoing revival strategy.
Chairman of the Arif Habib Consortium for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Arif Habib, confirmed the airline’s plan to increase aircraft strength.
While addressing industrialists at the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Thursday, Arif Habib mentioned that PIA currently possesses 30 aircraft, of which 18 are operational, while five to six are undergoing repairs and maintenance.
During his speech to industrialists at KATI, he indicated that the airline is striving to make these aircraft operational again, which would bring the total to 26.
The long-term objective is to expand the fleet to 60 aircraft.
He noted that Pakistan has become more economically stable, and the figures for this fiscal year indicate that the government has increased revenue, met all expenditures, and paid interest on debt.
However, he emphasised the necessity of reducing production costs to stimulate economic growth.
PIA Chairman says low consumption to blame for electricity tariffs
He pointed out that electricity tariffs remain elevated due to capacity charges and low consumption.
If the existing transmission system, which has a capacity exceeding 22,000 megawatts, were fully used, the per-unit cost could be lowered by Rs10 to Rs12.
He said that this could only be achieved if electricity consumption were to rise.
The event was attended by KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Deputy Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, CPLC Chief Zubair Habib, ABAD Chairman Hasan Bakhshi, and other senior officials.
Arif Habib expressed that it was a privilege to represent the business community at the government level and that he made every effort to inform the government about the challenges facing the industry.
He reiterated that Pakistan has become more economically stable, and the fiscal year’s figures demonstrate that the government has increased revenue, met all expenditures, and paid interest on debt.
Nevertheless, he stressed that economic growth necessitates a reduction in production costs.
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