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Pakistan International Airlines

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Pakistan International Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
PK PIA PAKISTAN
Founded1946 (as Orient Airways)
HubsJinnah International Airport (Karachi)
Secondary hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programPIA Awards Plus+
Subsidiaries
Fleet size37 (+5 orders, 5 options)
Destinations59 incl.cargo
Parent companyMinistry of Defence (Government of Pakistan)[1]
HeadquartersJinnah International Airport
Karachi, Pakistan
Key people
Websitepiac.com.pk

Pakistan International Airlines (Template:Lang-ur; generally known as PIA; or Pakistan International), is the national flag carrier and a state-owned enterprise of Government of Pakistan.[2] Once regarded as Asia's best airline,[3] it is headquartered at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi [4] and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27 countries across Asia, Europe and North America.[5] Its main bases are at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad/Rawalpindi.

The airline's secondary bases include Peshawar, Faisalabad, Quetta, Sialkot and Multan, from which it connects the metropolitan cities with the main bases, the Middle East, Europe, and the Far East. It is primarily owned by the Government of Pakistan and is regulated by the Ministry Of Defence as an autonomous body. It employed 18,043 people as of May 2008.[6]

History

Pre-Independence

Pakistan International Airlines can trace its origins to the days when Pakistan had not yet gained independence from the British Raj. In 1946, the country's founder Muhammed Ali Jinnah realized the need for a flag carrier for the prospective country and requested financial help from a wealthy businessman Mirza Ahmad Ispahani for this purpose. Around that time, a new airline 'Orient Airways', was registered in Calcutta on 23 October 1946. In February 1947, the airline bought 3 DC-3 airplanes from a company in Texas and obtained a license to fly in May of the same year. The airline started its operations in June, offering services from Kolkata to Sittwe and Yangon. This was the first post second-world-war airline flight by a South Asian registered airline company.[citation needed] On 14 August 1947, Pakistan came into being and Orient Airways started relief operations for the new country. Shortly after Pakistan's independence, the airline moved its operations to Karachi.

PIA L1049C Super Constellation at London (Heathrow) Airport in 1955
A Convair CV-240 in the 1950s at Karachi airport
A Pakistan International Airlines Boeing 707 photographed in Germany, 1961

Post-Independence

On 7 June 1954, Orient Airways started its operations by offering flight services between the two wings of Pakistan, i.e. service from Karachi to Dhaka. In addition, the airline also introduced two new domestic routes, i.e., Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar and Karachi-Quetta-Lahore. However, due to sustained losses being suffered by the airline, the Government of Pakistan proposed that Orient Airways merge with a new national airline. On 11 March 1955, Orient Airways merged with the government's proposed airline, becoming Pakistan International Airlines Corporation. The newly formed airline not just offered services on its domestic routes but also inaugurated its first international route, Karachi-London Heathrow Airport[7] via Cairo and Rome, using 3 newly-acquired Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellations. The airline continued using DC-3s on domestic routes in Pakistan. In May 1956, PIA ordered 2 Super Lockheed Constellations of the latest L-1049H type and 5 Vickers Viscount 815.

1960s

The appointment of Air Marshal Nur Khan as the Managing Director of PIA in 1959 heralded an era of great successes for PIA. In March 1960, PIA wet-leased a Boeing 707 from Pan American airlines, thereby becoming the first Asian airline to induct a jet-aircraft in its fleet.[8] With the newly acquired aircraft, the airline introduced its first trans-Atlantic route Karachi-New York JFK in 1961. In 1962, it expanded its fleet by placing orders for Boeing 720s, Fokker F27s, and Sikorsky helicopters. In the same year, one of PIA's Boeing 720s made a world record for the shortest duration non-stop flight ( 6 hours 43 minutes and 51 seconds[8] ) from London to Karachi, a record which still holds to this day. The Boeing 720 was on its maiden flight when it flew from Seattle-London-Karachi [citation needed] by PIA's senior Captain Abdullah Baig.[8] From 1962 to 1966, PIA operated only its Sikorsky S-61 helicopters for services related to East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh) due to some technical difficulties. The normal operations on these routes resumed in 1966 when conditions improved. Upon the establishment of ties between Pakistan Government and People's Republic of China, PIA started flying to Beijing in 1964, becoming the first airline of a non-communist country flying to the People's Republic of China.[8] At the outbreak of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, the Pakistani Armed Forces seek PIA's services for logistics and transport purposes. The Viscounts were phased out in 1966 and were replaced by 4 Hawker Siddeley Tridents. These aircraft were later sold to Civil Aviation Administration of China.

1970s

The 70s decade was marked by resumption of transatlantic flights, introduction of new destinations, appointment of Nur Khan as its executive for the second term, and the beginning of financially successful period for the airline. When the political situation in East Pakistan (present day Bangladesh) started deteriorating in early 70s, the Pakistan Army once again used PIA's services to airlift soldiers and ammunition to East Pakistan. [citation needed] Most flights had to detour to Sri Lanka during trips between West Pakistan and East Pakistan. However, couple of PIA's cargo planes were shot down by the fighter jets of Indian Air Force.[9] With the establishment of cordial ties between the Libyan and Pakistani governments in early 70s, PIA added a new international route, Tripoli, to its map in 1972. It also signed an agreement with Yugoslav airline JAT. PIA acquired McDonnell Douglas DC-10s in 1973 and used those planes to replace Boeing 707-300s. In 1974, PIA launched Pakistan International Cargo, offering air freight and cargo services. In 1975, PIA introduced new uniforms for air hostesses which were chosen through an open competition, with the winning entry designed by Sir Hardy Amies, the designer of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The later half of the decade witnessed further expansion of PIA's fleet with the introduction of Boeing 747s through either leased or purchased aircraft. During this decade, airline gained considerable popularity and was regarded as Asia's best airline.[10] For the first time since its inauguration, PIA started providing technical and administrative assistance or leased aircraft to foreign airlines including Somali Airlines, Air Malta and Yemenia. A subsidiary of PIA also started providing hotel management services in United Arab Emirates towards the end of the decade.

The Fokker F27 used to be the backbone of PIA's services to northern Pakistani areas in the 1990s [11]
A Pakistan International Airliens Airbus A300 at Fiumicino Airport in 1991.

1980s

The 1980s decade began with the opening of a cargo handling center at Karachi airport, duty-free shops, the first C and D safety checks on its entire fleet, as well as the introduction of airline's first Airbus A300B4-203 aircraft. In 1984, the airline introduced Night-Coach service as a low-cost alternative to day-time domestic flights. In the following years, PIA Planetarium was inaugurated in Karachi which was followed by planetariums in Lahore and Peshawar. These planetariums featured retired PIA aircraft on display for educational or observational purposes. Two more retired Boeing 720B airplanes were donated to the planetariums in Karachi and Lahore later on. Also in 1985, five new Boeing 737-300s airplanes were introduced in PIA's fleet, making PIA the first Asian airline with such diverse aircraft fleet. In late 1987 and early 1988, services to Malé and Toronto were introduced. In 1989, Shukria Khanam became the first woman pilot to obtain a license to fly a commercial passenger plane but never joined PIA as a pilot. A year later, First Officer Maliha Sami became the first female pilot of PIA when she took-off on Karachi-Panjgur-Turbat-Gwadar route.

In mid-1980s, PIA also helped establish Emirates airline by leasing two of its airplanes - Airbus 300 and Boeing 737 - as well as providing technical and administrative assistance to the new carrier.

1990s

In June 1991, Airbus delivered the first of six Airbus A310-300 aircraft that PIA had ordered. With the new airplanes, the airline introduced flights to Tashkent in 1992 and to Zürich in 1993. PIA added Jakarta, Fujairah, Baku and Al-Ain to its destinations in 1994. In addition, PIA became a client of three different flight-reservation systems, namely: Sabre, Galileo and Amadeus. Air Safari flights were launched in 1994 using Boeing 737–300 aircraft that used to fly over the Karakoram mountain range. In 1995, PIA purchased a Boeing 747 flight simulator to train its pilots. It also purchased another used Airbus A300 aircraft from Air France. A Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft was also leased briefly in 1996 to cope with surge in passenger traffic during summer 1996. Flights to Beirut were resumed the same year as well.

In 1999, PIA leased 5 Boeing 747–300 aircraft from Cathay Pacific to replace its Boeing 747-200M fleet. The aircraft were painted with a new livery - a handwork Pashmina tail on white body and large Pakistan titles on the front fuselage. The livery was adopted in early 90s but due to some copyright issues it had to be dropped. The Boeing 747-300s remained in the new look but with a plain green tail with PIA titles. The other aircraft in the fleet were repainted in early 1990s livery.

2000s

Boeing 747-300 on finals to London Heathrow Airport, England

In July 2002, PIA purchased six Boeing 747-300 aircraft from Cathay Pacific, five of which were already on lease. The sixth one arrived shortly afterwards and was used mainly on its North American and European routes. In October 2002, after a period of ten years without any new orders, the airline placed an order for eight Boeing 777 aircraft from The Boeing Company. The order included all three variants of 777, i.e. three 777-200ER (Extended Range), two 777-200LR (Longer Range) and three 777-300ER versions. PIA was the launch customer that revived the Boeing 777-200LR project that, until then, only had three orders by EVA Air.

External videos
video icon A promotional video by PIA on delivery of the Boeing 777

Boeing delivered the first of three 777-200ER aircraft to PIA in January 2004. PIA introduced a new livery for 777-200ERs airplanes and that livery was later applied to most airplanes of its fleet. PIA also leased six more Airbus A310-300/ET planes from Airbus company directly. On 3 November 2005, PIA placed an order to purchase seven ATR42-500 aircraft from ATR to replace its aging fleet of Fokker F27 aircraft. On 6 December 2005, PIA acquired another new Boeing 777-200ER on a ten year lease from the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). The aircraft was delivered in January 2007 to the airline.

On 25 February 2006, Boeing delivered its first 777-200LR Worldliner to PIA, when it flew from Everett to Islamabad via Manchester. With the induction of long range aircraft in its fleet, PIA started offering non-stop flights from Toronto to Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore from 3 March 2006. PIA had also planned non-stop flights to New York and other US cities with sizable Pakistani populations but was not given permission by US authorities. ATR delivered two of the seven ordered airplanes by PIA in May and December 2006 respectively, following which the airline ceased using military Lockheed C-130 Hercules for passenger services in northern areas of Pakistan. The military planes were being used after the PIA Flight 688 accident. On 23 December 2006, PIA took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER.

File:PIA B747s stored SIAL.jpg
A pair of Boeing 747s stored at Sialkot in 2008 during the EU restrictions. However, once the ban was lifted the aircraft were back in use on all routes
European Union Ban

On 5 March 2007, the European Commission banned all but 9 planes of PIA's 42-plane fleet from flying to Europe citing safety concerns of its aging fleet. The ban was imposed following an on-site visit led by Federico Grandini, European Commission’s Air Safety Administrator.[12][13] The remaining 7, namely the fleet of Boeing 777s, was exempted from the ban.[14] PIA claimed that the ban was discriminatory and unjustifiable. On 26 March 2007, Tariq Saeed Kirmani was coerced to resign after severe pressure from higher authorities because of the EU ban[citation needed]. Zafar Khan was appointed as the new chairman of Pakistan International Airlines. The ban on the eleven of thirty five aircraft was lifted after a period of four months on 5 July 2007, following another inspection by European Union's Air Safety Administration. Of the eleven aircraft, five were Boeing 747-300s and the remaining six were Airbus A310-300s. On 29 November 2007, the EU completely removed the ban and PIA's entire fleet was permitted to fly to Europe.[15] To avoid any such embarrassment in future, PIA signed a deal to lease seven new Airbus A320-200 from Kuwait based leasing company ALAFCO. The aircraft were supposed to be delivered during 2008 and 2009 but the deal was cancelled before any delivery took place.

Current decade

In February 2012, PIA ordered 5 more Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with delivery starting in 2015. In August 2012, it was announced that PIA will induct another eight aircraft to its fleet. This upgrade would include 2 777-200ER, 2 Boeing 747-400 and 4 Boeing 737-800. The 777s will be inducted in November 2012 while the remaining aircraft would be inducted in December 2012.

Corporate management

Structure

Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) is majority owned by the Government of Pakistan (87%) while the remainder (13%) by private shareholders. The airline is under the administration of Ministry of Defence the chairman of which is Ahmad Mukhtar. The airline is managed by managing director as well as the Board of Directors. The Board consists of nine independent non-executive members and has four sub-committees: an Audit Committee, Brand and Advertising Committee, Finance Committee, and Human Resource Committee each having its own charter and chairman. The MD leads the executive management of staff who run the airline. The airline's main headquarters are located at Karachi Airport while smaller sub head offices are located in several cities within Pakistan.

Privatization

Jinnah International Airport - the PIA headquarters is located in that complex
PIA offices in Lahore

In the late 1990s, the Government of Pakistan considered selling the airline to the private sector due to the persistent losses suffered by the airline. The Government announced its privatization plans but they were never implemented. 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. During 1997, Pakistan called in a team from International Finance (IFC), the consulting arm of the World Bank, to advise on restructuring and privatization of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). However, no agreement was reached.[16] The government has had many plans for the privatization of the State owned airline. However, no reasonable agreement or solution has been found to this day. On 18 February 2009 the carrier was dropped from the privatization list.[17]

Financial performance

The following table gives the key financial results for 2011 along with those since 2004[18][19] The financial performance for FY 2011 continues to be a challenge with an after tax loss of PKR 26.767 billion. This was preceded by six consecutive loss making years dating back to 2005. The airline did report a reduction of post tax losses of 83% in 2009 (compared to 2008) based on a reduction in fuel cost, comparatively stable exchange rate for the Pakistan Rupee and higher revenues. But in 2011 & 2010, losses again rose sharply compared to the previous years.

The airline faces many challenges to its profitability such as staffing levels and overall management issues. An employee count of 18,014 for a fleet of 40 aircraft [18][19] is clearly an area that needs to be reviewed.

Revenues [18][19]
Year Revenues (PKR in Million) Profit/(Loss) (PKR in Million) Employees (Ave.)
2011 116,551 (26,767) 18,014
2010 107,532 (20,785) 18,019
2009 94,564 (5,822) 17,944
2008 88,863 (36,139) 18,036
2007 70,481 (13,399) 18,149
2006 70,587 (12,763) 18,282
2005 64,074 (4,412) 19,263
2004 57,788 2,307 19,634

The report for the first quarter of 2012 [20] does not show any improvement. The after tax losses reported for the first quarter of 2012 are PKR 7.81 billion as compared to PKR 4.24 for Q1 of 2011. Revenue is also pretty much stagnant at PKR 26.44 billion for the first quarter of 2012 compared with PKR 26.18 billion for the first quarter of 2011.

After hovering around the five and a half million mark for around 5 years, the passenger traffic rose to just under six million in 2011 while the passenger load factor went down from 74% in 2010 to 72% in 2011.

Passenger Traffic [18][19]
Year Revenue Passengers (Million) Passenger Load Factor Average Passenger Stage Distance (Statute KM)
2011 5.953 72 2,631
2010 5.538 74 2,827
2009 5.535 70 2,510
2008 5.617 71 2,479
2007 5.415 67 2,527
2007 5.415 67 2,527
2006 5.732 69 2,639
2005 5.499 70 2,638

It is also interesting to note that for 2011, about 81% of revenue is from passenger traffic and only 5% from cargo. Another 7.8% is from room food and beverage sales! The remaining 6% is from excess baggage, charter, engineering services, handling & related services, mail & other.[19]

Chairman of PIA

Destinations

Main article: Pakistan International Airlines destinations

As of June 2012 PIA serves 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27 countries across Asia, Europe and North America from its home bases of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.[21][22]

Dubai is a major focus city for the airline with flights to Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta.

Codeshare agreements

PIA has codeshare agreements with the following airlines (as of April 2012):[23]

Fleet

The Pakistan International Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (as of November 2012).[24]

Several A selection of PIA aircraft parked in Islamabad.
Boeing 747-300 on final approach to London Heathrow Airport in 2004
Pakistan International Airlines Fleet
Aircraft Total Order Option Passengers Notes
J Q Y Total
Airbus A310-300 12 0 0 12 40 132 184
18 43 144 205
18 45 142 205
ATR 42-500 7 0 0 — 10 40 50
Boeing 737-300 4 0 0 — 24 94 118
Boeing 747-300 5 0 0 — 30 448 478 To exit service starting in March 2015
Boeing 777-200ER 4 0 0 35 45 240 320
35 54 240 329
Boeing 777-200LR 2 0 0 35 60 215 310
Boeing 777-300ER 3 5 5 35 60 304 393 PIA Orders 5 Boeing 777-300ER's to replace the old 747-300's [25][26][27][28]
Total 37 5 5

Livery

File:Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A310 at Leeds Bradford Airport (taken by Flickr user 2nd July 2011).jpg
An Airbus 310 at Leeds Bradford International Airport (2011).
A Boeing 777 in the current new livery of PIA, landing at London Heathrow Airport (2010).

In December 2003 PIA introduced a new image that was applied to their first 777-200ER and on two leased A310-300s one of which was in service. The livery was white at the front and beige at the rear separated by a dark green stripe. The tail was painted white with PIA written in dark green. PAKISTAN was added to the front fuselage and the engines were painted in beige colour. The PIA written in calligraphic Urdu was added just behind the cockpit.

However, due to criticism the design was modified before the first Boeing 777 was delivered. PIA and Boeing replaced the tail with a flowing Pakistan flag on a beige background. PAKISTAN titles were removed and the PIA acronym was enlarged and moved onto the fuselage. The engines and Urdu PIA remained the same. The leased A310s and most of PIA fleet also adopted this livery at a later date.

In early 2006 the airline launched four new tail designs for its fleet. The tails represented the four provinces of Pakistan: Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Balochistan.[29] The tails promoted the 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. The "Frontier" tail represented the "Phulkari" (flowering) pattern that reflected a tradition of embroidery generally done on shawls, shirts and linen. The "Punjab" tail was loosely related to the tile decoration of the Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore. The "Balochistan" tail showed the creativity 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 colours dominated by red. The "Sindh" tail was influenced from the Hala tile work with electric blue and white floral patterns. In 2008 management stopped the application of provincial tails deeming them too costly.

PIA launched their new livery in early April 2010. An Airbus A310, Boeing 777–200 and Boeing 747–300 were the first aircraft to wear the new look. The livery was unveiled at the PIA headquarters on a Boeing 777 model.[30][31]

The livery consists of a Green and Gold strip running around the bottom of the fuselage and continuing right up until the tail cone. The forward/upper portion is white and at the rear it is an off white/beige colour. The bottom part of the tail blends into the upper fuselage as it is too white with the rest of the tail painted with a large wavy Pakistan flag which takes up the whole tail in a dark green colour. At the front of the fuselage 'PIA' is written in a billboard style in dark green and underneath 'Pakistan International' is written in gold. Just behind the cockpit there is a stylised Urdu PIA logo as well as on the engines. Underneath 'Pakistan' is written in bold on the aircraft belly.

Services

Boeing 747-240MB at Manchester Airport

Cabin

PIA operate a three class configuration on its domestic routes: Business Plus, Economy Plus+ and Economy. On their international flights a two class configuration, Business Plus and Economy, has remained popular. According to their Annual Report 2007, PIA recorded a seat factor of 69%, a percentage drop from 2006.[32] PIA Business Plus passengers are offered lie-flat bed seats on all Boeing 777 as well as selected Airbus A310 aircraft.

Newspapers and magazines

The PIA in-flight magazine, Humsafar (Urdu for "travel companion"), is provided to all passengers on all flights. Humsafar was introduced in 1980 and is printed and published in-house bi-monthly. General Urdu and English newspapers and magazines are available to all Business Plus and Economy Plus class passengers. Free newspapers are provided to all Economy class passengers.

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, special deals, and discounts with participants. Awards Plus+ has three tiers of membership — Emerald, Sapphire and Diamond. Awards Plus+ miles can be earned by flying PIA and by using the products and services of PIA's partners.

Catering

PIA Catering is the main suppliers of meals for the airline. It can produce 15,000 passenger meals each day.[33] However, since 2006, the management of the flight kitchens has been given to Singapore Air Terminal Services (SATS).[34] PIA Catering provides special meals to allow for passengers' dietary and religious needs. PIA does not serve alcohol on its flights, nor is pork served on board because of religious law.

Cargo operations

PIA operates a 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 goods across Pakistan as well as to international destinations. These include meat and vegetables, textiles, paper products, laboratory equipment[35] and postal mail.[36]

In 2003 PIA launched "'PIA Speedex'", a courier service in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi/Islamabad; expanding within a year to 12 cities. Today, the airline offers over 70 locations within Pakistan, with shipments collected and delivered from customers' homes. From 2004 to September 2007, PIA Cargo operated two Airbus A300 Freighter aircraft chartered through MNG Airlines to Haan and Luton; initially these also operated to Amsterdam, Basel and Cologne.

Corporate sponsorship

The airline has sponsored events, both within Pakistan and in its overseas markets.

In the 1990s, the airline launched the three green stripe livery to represent its support for sports. The airline supports the Pakistan International Airlines first-class cricket team that plays in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and Patron's Trophy. PIA sponsors the PIA football club, and the A1 Team Pakistan in the A1 Grand Prix open-wheel auto racing series when it was initially launched. The airline also promotes the Shandur Polo Gala, that takes place every year in the Chitral and Gilgit regions of northern Pakistan during the summer period.[37] PIA also has its own Sports Division since 1958 promoting sports within Pakistan such as cricket, hockey, football, squash, polo, tennis, bridge, chess, table tennis, cycling, and body building. PIA has its own Boy Scouts Association (PIA-BSA) working in partnership with Pakistan Boy Scouts Association. After the earthquake, PIA-BSA worked in partnership with other charity organisations to provide relief help.

PIA was one of the official sponsors of the "Destination Pakistan 2007" festivals. The official logo was added to a select number of aircraft during the year[38] In 2008, PIA teamed up with mobile phone provider, Ufone to provide air miles to passengers who used the mobile network. Standard Chartered Bank and PIA launched Credit Cards allowing passengers to earn air miles for use of their credit cards.[39] In 2009, PIA was the gold sponsor for Logistics Pakistan, an Exhibition and Conference poised to highlight the emerging opportunities for the Logistics sector in Pakistan. In 2009, PIA and Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) formed a strategic alliance to promote world money transfers.[40]

PIA has Planetariums in Karachi and Lahore 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 events, winning awards and accolades at flower exhibitions across the country. The airline supports non-profit organisations within Pakistan such as; Al-Shifa Trust, Zindagi Trust, The Citizens Foundation and Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT).[41] In 2009, PIA teamed up with the fast-food franchise, McDonalds, to offer passengers discounts on meals and upgrades.[42] PIA also owns three hotels, the Roosevelt Hotel, the Scribe Hotel and Skyrooms (Private) Limited.[43] The airline also has an agreement with Pearl Continental Hotels for its UAE based passengers.[44]

Achievements and recognitions

PIA was the first Asian airline to receive the Boeing 737–300
  • First airline in the world to operate scheduled helicopter services.[citation needed]
  • The first airline from an Asian land country and the first airline from a Muslim country to fly the Super Constellation.
  • The first Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft.
  • The first Asian airline to be granted maintenance approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Registration Board, predecessor of the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
  • The first non-communist airline to fly to the People's Republic of China, and to operate a service between Asia and Europe via Moscow.
  • The first airline in Asia to induct the new technology Boeing 737-300 aircraft.
  • An IBM 1401, the first computer in Pakistan, was installed in PIA.
  • The first airline to introduce a second route to People's Republic of China over the mighty Karakoram mountains.
  • The first airline to show in-flight movies on international routes.
  • PIA set up Pakistan's first planetarium at Karachi.
  • The first airline in South Asia to introduce auto-ticketing facility.
  • The first airline in the world to fly to Tashkent, capital of the newly independent state of Uzbekistan.
  • First airline in the world to start Air Safari with jet aircraft.
  • First Asian airline to start flights to Oslo.
  • First airline in South Asia to offer the facility of seat reservation through mobile phone.
  • First airline in Pakistan to operate a flight with an all female crew at command and in the cabin.
  • PIA was given the first place award for the biggest volume increase in 2006, by Frankfurt Airport Authority.
  • First airline in the world to induct and operate the Boeing 777-200ER, 777-200LR and 777-300ER together (all three variants available on the market).[45]
  • PIA was given three domestic awards in 2008: The "Brands of the Year" Award, "Consumers Choice Award" and "One The Best Airlines Award (Cargo)".[43]
  • PIA provided extensive support in the creation, development and management of Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines during their initial years of operation.
  • PIA was awarded a shield by Presidency of Civil Aviation in Saudi Arabia in recognition of distinguished Passenger Services compared to other airlines conducting Hajj operations for the 3 consecutive years [2010 - 2012] among 74 international airlines operating from the Hajj terminal in that country at Jeddah Airport.[46]

Special operations

Charter services

PIA operates private charter flights using ATR 42s to Bhit, Kadanwari and Sawan Airport in Sindh as well as to other parts of the country on behalf of oil and gas companies. Ad hoc charters for United Nations peacekeeping troops are also carried out to Africa and Eastern Europe using Boeing 747s.

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 over 130,000 intending pilgrims each year from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Sukkur to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its fleet of Boeing 747-300 and Boeing 777-200ER.

State officials transportation

Callsign "PAKISTAN 001" carrying the President on PIA's Boeing 707 photographed in Germany, c.1961

PIA has been continuously serving government officials of Pakistan, and has always transported the President and Prime Minister on overseas visits. During the late 1990s, a PIA Boeing 737–300[47] 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 Boeing 737 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[48] to the Pakistani government, this has ended the need for use of PIA aircraft. However, from time to time the government uses the airline's Boeing 737 or Airbus A310 for official trips. [citation needed]

Incidents and accidents

Since it began services, seven Pakistan International Airlines flights have crashed. PIA has a record of 5.00 fatalities per million flights.[49]

The memorial tablet placed at the crash site in Cairo for those who died on PIA Flight 705 on 20 May 1965.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Annual Report 2006 (Part-I)" (PDF). Pakistan International Airlines. 2007-04-03. Retrieved 2007-08-14.
  2. ^ "Contact Us." Pakistan International Airlines. Retrieved on 4 August 2009.
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "Contact Us." Pakistan International Airlines. Retrieved on 23 February 2010
  5. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International. 2007-04-10. p. 61.
  6. ^ PIA
  7. ^ About PIA – History PIA official website. Retrieved 01 August 2010.
  8. ^ a b c d "About PIA – History". PIA. Retrieved 2010-08-01.
  9. ^ Aircraft Losses In Pakistan −1971 War (PAF, Army Aviation, and Civilian aircraft Casualties) – by P V S Jagan Mohan
  10. ^ EU bans Pakistan airline
  11. ^ PIA in the old days History of PIA, assessed 03-02-2009
  12. ^ EC inspects CAA operation
  13. ^ Restrictions force PIA to suspend Frankfurt flight
  14. ^ EU bans Pakistan airline flights – BBC News – Obtained 5 March 2007.
  15. ^ EU Lifts ban on PIA Brecorder Newspapers. Retrieved 1 December 2007.
  16. ^ PIA privatization Flight International Magazine, printed 01-01-1997, assessed 09-03-2009
  17. ^ Pak Steel, PIA dropped from privatization list The News, Jang Newspapers Published 18-02-2009, assessed 09-03-2009
  18. ^ a b c d PIA Annual Report 2010
  19. ^ a b c d e PIA Annual Report 2011
  20. ^ PIA 1st Quarterly Report 2012
  21. ^ Domestic Network
  22. ^ International Network
  23. ^ PIA moves towards Global Alliances Pakistan International Airlines Press Release, assessed 03-04-2007
  24. ^ PIA website: About Fleet, [2], [3], [4]
  25. ^ Inching towards ‘Vision 2020′: PIA to get ownership of six A310 aircraft – The Express Tribune
  26. ^ National carrier: PIA to improve fleet with 5 Boeing 777s – The Express Tribune
  27. ^ Agreement signed PIA to buy 5 Boeing 777
  28. ^ PIA order five 777s with option for more
  29. ^ PIA launches four new tails
  30. ^ PIA New Livery on a model
  31. ^ PIA unveils new livery design for aircraft Daily Times. Retrieved 18-04-2010.
  32. ^ PIA Annual Report 2006–2007
  33. ^ About PIA – Flight Kitchens
  34. ^ PIA AND SATS Sign Broad-Based Collaboration Agreement
  35. ^ PIA – Cargo
  36. ^ Liste des distances aeropostales UPU report 2003 (English version). Retrieved 01 August 2010.
  37. ^ Enjoy the spectacular shandur Polo Gala 2007-07-07
  38. ^ PIA: Make Pakistan Your Next Destination, 2007
  39. ^ Standard Charted – PIA Credit Card Youtube.com. Retrieved 2007-01-07.
  40. ^ PRI-PIA alliance to help boost remittance inflows through banking channels: Shaukat Tarin – Accessed 2009-12-29. Associated Press of Pakistan.
  41. ^ Corporate Social Responsibility within PIA
  42. ^ PIA & McDonalds Alliance Deal for Ramadan
  43. ^ a b PIA Annual Report 2008–2009 PIA Press Releases. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  44. ^ PIA signs agreement with PC Dubai Daily Times. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
  45. ^ Chaudhry, Muhammad Bashir (November 18, 2008). "Modernization of PIA fleet". Pakistan Dawn. Retrieved February 12, 2008. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) [dead link]
  46. ^ [5] Brecorder.com Accessed 2010-01-07
  47. ^ "AP-BEH" PIA B737 in Government Colours
  48. ^ Airliners.net: Pakistan Air Force A310-304
  49. ^ "Accident Rates By Airline". AirDisaster.com.
  50. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
  51. ^ "Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 11 September 2009.
  52. ^ "Hijacking in Karachi; Hijacking wasn't first try". The New York Times. September 7, 1986. Retrieved December 7, 2011.
  53. ^ Mishra, Sidharth (1997). Where Gallantry is Tradition: Saga of Rashtriya Indian Military College. Allied Publishers. p. 153. ISBN 978-81-7023-649-8.
  54. ^ "History of PIA: Hijackings"
  55. ^ Aircraft accident Fokker F-27 Friendship 200 AP-BBF Bunji
  56. ^ History of PIA - Pakistan International Airlines
  57. ^ Aircraft accident Fokker F-27 Friendship 600 AP-AUX Peshawar Airport
  58. ^ "All 45 on Pakistani plane killed in crash". yahoo.com. 2006-07-10. Archived from the original on 2006-07-12. Retrieved 2006-07-10.
  59. ^ "Pakistan police: Crash kills 45". cnn.com. 2006-07-10. Archived from the original on 2006-07-21. Retrieved 2006-07-10.
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