Pakistan International Airlines

Pakistan International Airlines Corporation, more commonly known as PIA is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan, based in Karachi. It is the 31st largest airline in Asia, operating scheduled services to 37 destinations throughout Asia, the Middle East, Europe and North America, as well as a domestic network linking 24 destinations. Its main bases are Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and the Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad/Rawalpindi. The airline's secondary bases include 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 employed 18,043 people as of May 2008.PIA has more international destinations than any other South Asia airline and in 27 countrie Pakistan International Airlines

IATA ICAO PK PIA Founded

Hubs

Callsign PAKISTAN 1946 (as Orient Airways) Jinnah International Airport (Primary Hub) Allama Iqbal International Airport (Secondary Hub)

Focus cities

Benazir Bhutto International Airport (Secondary Hub) Peshawar Multan Faisalabad Quetta Dubai

Sialkot Frequent flyer program PIA Awards Plus + Roosevelt Hotel Skyrooms (Private) Limited Subsidiaries

PIA Investments Limited

40 64 + Cargo Ministry of Defence (Government of Parent company Pakistan) Company slogan Great People To Fly With Headquarters Karachi, Pakistan Ahmad Mukhtar (Chairman) Key people Cpt. Aijaz Haroon (MD)Mr.Asif Ali Zardari.President Website: http://www.piac.com.pk/

Fleet size Destinations

Pakistan International Airlines, or PIA for short, can trace its beginnings to the days when Pakistan was not an independent state. In 1946 Muhammed Ali Jinnah realised the need for an airline network for the forming country and called upon the help of an 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 DC3 airplanes from a company in Texas, and in May of that year the airline was granted a licence to fly. Services were started in June from Kolkata to Sittwe and Yangon. This was the first post-war airline flight by a South Asian registered airline company. 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.

A Convair CV-240 photographed in the fifties at Karachi airport 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 use jet aircraft when Boeing 707 services were introduced. 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, 2

orders were placed for Boeing 720s, Fokker F27s and Sikorsky helicopters. One of PIA's Boeing 720s broke a world record that year, when it flew from London to Karachi nonstop in 6 hours, 43 minutes and 55 seconds during its delivery flight from Seattle, piloted by PIA's senior Captain Abdullah Baig, a record 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 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 and lost a couple of its aircraft to Indian Air Force fighters. 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 were used by the airline before they were replaced by Boeing 747-200Bs. 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 air hostesses. These uniforms were chosen through an open competition, the winning entry was a design by Sir Hardy Amies who was designer to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 1976, leased Boeing 747-200Bs came into service. In 1978, the airline bought their first Boeing 747-200BM aircraft. 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 leased two of its own Boeing 720s to Air Malta during the 70s.

The Fokker F27 was once the backbone of PIA's northern area flights in the 1990s The 1980s began with the opening of a cargo centre 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 night coach fare service was introduced to offer lower 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. In late 1987 and early 1988, flights were introduced to 3

Mal and to Toronto Pearson International Airport, respectively. In 1989, the first women pilots started their career on passenger airplanes. During June 1991, PIA received the first of six Airbus A310-300 aircraft on from Airbus Industrie. In 1992, flights started to Tashkent and in 1993, to Zrich, Switzerland. In addition, PIA became a user of the Sabre, Galileo and Amadeus global distribution systems. During 1994, PIA added Jakarta, Fujairah, Baku and Al-Ain to its destinations. Air Safari flights were launched in the same year using Boeing 737-300 aircraft over the Karakoram Range mountains. In 1995, PIA received a Boeing 747 flight simulation system and a used Air France A300 aircraft was bought. In 1996 the airline leased Tupolev Tu154 aircraft, and re-opened services to Beirut. PIA only used the Tupolev Tu-154 for a short time to deal with the 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 fleet. The aircraft wore a new livery with a handwork Pashmina tail on 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. The other aircraft in the fleet were repainted in the 1990s livery.

List of managing directors of PIA

Here is a list of the past managing directors of the national flag carrier of Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines. 1. Zafarul Ahsan (19551959) 2. Air Commodore (later Air Marshal) Nur Khan (19591965) 3. Air Marshal Asghar Khan (19651968) 4. S.U. Durrani (19681971) 5. Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry (1971 - 1972) 6. Rafiq Saigol (1972 - 1974) 7. Enver Jamall (1974 - 1980) 8. M.M. Saleem (1980 - 1981) 9. Air Vice Marshal Waqar Azim (1981 - 1986) 10. Air Marshal Azim Daudpota (1986 - 1990) 11. Arif Ali Khan Abbasi (1990 - 1991) 12. Nawaz Tiwana (1991 - March 1993) 13. Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar (March 1993 - 1996) 14. Nawaz Tiwana (1996 - August 1997) 15. Arif Ali Khan Abbasi (1997 - March 1999) 16. Shahid ul Islam (March 1999 - October 1999) 17. Arif Ali Khan Abbasi (October 1999 - May 2000) 18. Sher Afgan Malik (May 2000 - April 2001) 19. Ahmad Saeed (April 2001 - April 2005) 20. Tariq Kirmani (April 2005 - April 2007) 21. Zafar Ahmad Khan (April 2007 - February 2008) 22. Aslam R. Khan (February 2008 - May 2008) 4

23. Mohammad Aijaz Haroon (May 2008 - present)

Jinnah International Airport

Jinnah International Airport previously Quaid-e-Azam International Airport (IATA: KHI, ICAO: OPKC) is Pakistan's largest international and domestic airport. It is located in Karachi, Sindh, and is also commonly known as the Jinnah Terminal. The airport is named after Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, who was also known as Quaid-e-Azam ("Great Leader"). The airport provides primary hub for the flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Shaheen Air International, and Airblue as well as many other private airlines. The airport is equipped with aircraft engineering and overhauling facilities including the Ispahani Hangar for wide-body aircraft. Jinnah International Airport
Quaid-e-Azam International Airport Karachi International Airport

IATA: KHI ICAO: OPKC

Summary
Public Civil Aviation Authority of Owner/Operator Pakistan Serves Karachi Elevation AMSL 100 ft / 30 m Coordinates 245424N 0670939E Website www.karachiairport.com.pk Airport type

History

Runways
Direction 07R/25L 07L/25R Length m 3,400 3,200 ft 11,155 10,500 Surface Concrete Concrete

Karachi Airport in 1943 during World War II During the 1940s there was a large black coloured hangar (also locally known as Kala Chapra) at the site of Karachi Airport, constructed for the British R101 Airship. Only three hangars were ever built in the world to dock and hangar the R101 airships. However, the R101 airship never arrived in Karachi (then part of the British Raj) as it crashed early in its journey in France. This hangar was so huge that aircraft often used it as a visual marker while attempting VFR landings at Karachi. Over the years, the hangar became known as the landmark of Karachi, until it was torn down by order of thenPresident Ayub Khan in the 1960s. The airport facilities were further expanded in the 1980s to Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 respectively. The present day infrastructure of Jinnah 5

International Complex is a result of an expansion programme carried out in 1994. Today, the new Jinnah Terminal handles both domestic and international flights, whereas Terminal 2 is now dedicated to Hajj operations. Terminal 1 (which was actually the entirety of the airport in the British days) as well as Terminal 3 are now used for commercial offices, airline offices, and a string of bank counters and ATMs for public use. Karachi was once a much busier airport. Between the 1960s and 1980s it was an online station of several major airlines of the world including British Airways, Interflug, TAROM, Alitalia, JAT Yugoslavia Airlines, Aeroflot, Philippine Airlines, Nigeria Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, EgyptAir, East African Airways, Kenya Airways, Air France, Qantas, Pan Am, Royal Jordanian, Libyan Arab Airlines, Japan Airlines, Iraqi Airways, Syrian Arab Airlines, Middle East Airlines, Swissair, SAS, Lufthansa, and Kuwait Airways[citation needed]. However, due to the emergence of Dubai's airport on the world map, increased usage of longer haul aircraft, and the poor political climate of Karachi during the 1990s, several airlines discontinued their service to the airport. In the past couple of years Karachi has seen a reversal in fortunes. The dwindling numbers of international airlines have stabilised and whilst there hasn't been a marked increase in the number of airlines flying in to Karachi, some have either increased the number of flights or resumed their old operations, either online or via codeshare service. Economic factors may be partly responsible for the upswing in activity at the airport. As industrial growth in Karachi and the rest of Pakistan expands, some European and Asian carriers are mooting resumption of services to Jinnah International.

Structure

Aerial View of Jinnah International Airport

Front view of Jinnah International

Waiting area of Arrival Lounge - Jinnah International In fiscal year 2007-2008, over 10.6 million passengers used Jinnah International Airport. 49,283 aircraft movements were registered. Jinnah International Airport in Karachi has always been the largest aviation facility in Pakistan. It is the primary hub of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). All other Pakistani airlines also use Jinnah International Airport as their main hub. This includes Airblue, and Shaheen Air International. The building is linked via connecting corridors to two satellites, each having a provision of eight passenger-loading bridges. The eastern satellite is devoted exclusively to handling international operations. The western satellite is used for domestic operations, as well as some international operations. This is achieved through a flexible arrangement of gates. The two satellites supplement the departure lounges of the Terminal Building and also provide shopping facilities and snack counters. The Jinnah Terminal was completed in 1992 at a cost of $100 million - at its time the most expensive civil construction project in Pakistan. NESPAK (National Engineering Services Pakistan) and Airconsult (Frankfurt, Germany) were responsible for the architecture and planning of the terminal. Sogea Construction, a French company, was the contractor. Mukhtar Husain (NESPAK) was the Chief Architect for the new terminal.

In Karachi, the CIP Lounge can be used by all first and business class passengers on all outbound flights. Only passengers who have been pre-issued an airline card from the check-in desk can enter the lounge. Other passengers who wish to use the lounge may do so upon payment of a charge of USD 6.00. The lounge features light savoury snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, satellite TV, audio entertainment, newspapers, magazines, telephones, fax facilities, wireless Internet, and mobile charging points. There are also two McDonald's kiosks located on-site at the airport. Airblue has also introduced their own lounge in the international terminal of the airport. There are a number of banks that passengers can use at the airport including Askari Bank, Barclays, Citibank, Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, MCB Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Standard Chartered Bank, and United Bank; which offer ATMs, foreign exchange facilities, traveler's cheque encashment, and personal banking. The airport is also where the majority of PIA's maintenance network is located, although some of its maintenance work also takes place at Benazir Bhutto International Airport. There are several hangars at the airport, the largest is the Ispahani Hangar (named after Mirza Ahmad Ispahani, the first chairman of PIA) that can accommodate two Boeing 747s and one narrow body airliner (e.g. Boeing 737) at one time. On 15 February 2006, the first major overhaul of a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft (known as "C" check) was done at Ispahani Hangar. Most of the PIA aircraft are checked and regulated at the aircraft hangars in Karachi. The PIA maintenance also check other airline aircraft in Karachi such as Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Air Universal.

Airlines and destinations

Jinnah West Satellite Concourse (domestic)

A PIA B747-367 at the Domestic Satellite

Destinations Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar Bahawalpur, Dalbandin, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gwadar, Islamabad, Jiwani, Pakistan International Lahore, Moenjodaro, Multan, Panjgur, Pasni, Peshawar, Quetta, Rahim Yar Khan, Airlines Sehwan Sharif (seasonal), Sialkot, Sukkur, Turbat Shaheen Air Islamabad, Multan, Lahore, Peshawar International Airlines Airblue

Jinnah East Satellite Concourse (international)

airblue A320-200 taxing out to the runway

Airlines Air Arabia Airblue Air China Biman Bangladesh Airlines Cathay Pacific Emirates Airline Etihad Airways GMG Airlines Gulf Air Iran Air Malaysia Airlines Oman Air Destinations Sharjah Dubai Beijing-Capital, Chengdu Dhaka

Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong Dubai Abu Dhabi Dhaka, Dubai Bahrain Tehran-Imam Khomeini Dubai, Kuala Lumpur Muscat Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Barcelona Beijing-Capital, Delhi, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Pakistan International Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur-Sepang, Kuwait, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Airlines Mumbai, Muscat, New York-JFK, Riyadh, Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson Qatar Airways Doha Saudi Arabian Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh Airlines Shaheen Air Dubai International Singapore Airlines Singapore SriLankan Airlines Colombo Thai Airways Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Muscat International Turkish Airlines Istanbul-Atatrk

One of the MNG Airlines 737 aircraft leased by PIA during Hajj season of 2005-2006

Cargo terminal
Airlines Destinations

AST Pakistan Dubai, Lahore Airways Askari Aviation Afghanistan, Islamabad, Lahore British Airways World Cargo London operated by DHL Express Cargolux Luxembourg Champion Air Al Ain, Dubai DHL Express Bahrain, London Expo Aviation Colombo Emirates SkyCargo Dubai Etihad Crystal Cargo Abu Dhabi Falcon Express Cargo Dubai Airlines Jade Cargo Shenzen, Tianjin International Lufthansa Cargo operated by Jade Frankfurt, Shenzhen, Tianjin Cargo International Phoenix Aviation Bishkek, Sharjah Pakistan International Brno, Hahn, London-Luton, Rotterdam Airlines Cargo Qatar Airways Cargo Doha Royal Airlines Cargo Lahore, Islamabad Shaheen Air Dubai International Sri Lankan Cargo seasonal cargo service Tradewinds Airlines TCS Courier Dubai, Islamabad, Lahore, London

Allama Iqbal International Airport

Lahore International Airport

Events

On 7 April 1929, Karachi Airport became the first airport in British India to be used for a commercial flight, when an aircraft landed with mail en route to Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay.[4] On 19 August 1980, Saudia Flight 163 a Lockheed L-1011 Tristar flew from Karachi to Riyadh for its first leg. When the aircraft started its second leg to Jeddah, a fire developed. The plane landed, and all 287 Passengers & 14 Crew on board died from the fire.

IATA: LHE ICAO: OPLA

Summary
Public Pakistan Civil Operator Aviation Authority Serves Lahore Elevation AMSL 698 ft / 213 m Coordinates 313117N 742409E Surface Asphalt Concrete Airport type

Runways 10
Direction Length ft m 18R/36L 9,514 2,900 18L/36R 11,024 3,310

Allama Iqbal International Airport

Allama Iqbal International Airport (IATA: LHE, ICAO: OPLA) is Pakistan's second largest civil airport after Jinnah International Airport. It is located in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and is commonly known as Lahore International Airport. It is named after the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal who was a major proponent for the foundation of Pakistan. The airport currently has three terminals; the Allama Iqbal terminal, the Hajj terminal, and a cargo terminal. The airport is located about 15 kilometres from the centre of the city.

History
At independence, Walton Airport was the main airport of the city. When PIA acquired jetengined airliners such as the Boeing 720s, Walton was unable to handle the large aircraft. This meant that the Government decided to build a brand new airport which was inaugrated in 1962. It was commonly known as the "Lahore International Airport" and was able to handle aircraft as large as the Boeing 747. Over the course of the next 40 years the demand for air travel rose. It meant that the government decided to build a new world class airport to meet the growing needs for the future and improve the facilities for its passengers since the old airport was becoming obsolete. In 2003, "Allama Iqbal International Airport" was inaugrated and is now the second largest airport in Pakistan. All flights were switched to the new airport and the old airport was passed onto the military. However, during the Hajj period, the old airport is used as a Hajj Terminal by the national carrier, PIA.

Structure

The Allama Iqbal International Airport fully decorated to celebrate the Independence Day of Pakistan 11

On the inaugration of Allama Iqbal International Airport in 2003, the old terminal was converted to handle the influx of passengers for the annual pilgrimage of Hajj to Saudi Arabia. The terminal is known as the Hajj terminal and is only operational when traffic at the new terminal becomes constrainted. It is currently used by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines, however, negotiations are underway to allow private and international airlines to operate from the airport. Pakistan International Airlines is a major airline that flies out of Lahore as the flag carrier of Pakistan and uses the airport as a hub only second to Jinnah International Airport. There is an increasing demand from private Pakistani airlines and international airlines who operate out of Lahore for domestic and international operations. Many airlines are increasing their frequency out of Lahore since the new airport is able to cater to the growing needs of overseas and domestic passengers. The brand new terminal includes many duty-free shops including restaurants, cafs, icecream parlours, confectionery shops, book and toy shops and a souvenir shops. There are many flat screen televisions that show live flight times in the national languages, Urdu and official language, English. The airport has seven air-bridges that dock onto the aircraft during departures and arrivals. There are a total of 30 parking spaces. The airport can provide 32 parking spaces for commercial and jet aircraft.

Airport under construction in January, 2003. A brand new runway was built during the construction of Allama Iqbal International. According to the CAA, Runway 36R/18L is 3,310 metres long, 46 metres wide whilst Runway 36L/18R is 2,900 metres long, 46 metres wide. In Pakistan, the use of the CIP lounge is available to only first and business class passengers. In order to enter the CIP lounge, passengers must be pre-issued an access card from check-in. The cost to gain access is USD 6 per passenger international or PKR 100 domestic. The CIP lounge has light savoury snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, satellite TV, audio entertainment, newspapers, magazines, telephones, fax facilities, and free wireless Internet.

12

A mobile phone advertisement in the baggage claim area Many banks have opened foreign exchange counters and installed ATMs in the new airport to facilitate passengers. Banks providing ATM facilities include Allied Bank Ltd, Barclays, Citibank, Habib Bank, MCB Bank Ltd, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), and Standard Chartered Bank. Due to the increase in air travel from the airport, the CAA decided to expand the terminal to meet future growth in air travel as well as ease congestion during peak times. On 31 July 2008, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) awarded the expansion project to the National Engineering Services Pakistan Limited (NESPAK). The project is estimated to be completed in two years. The project entails expansion of the immigration and customs hall as well as the international and domestic departure & arrival halls. The number of check-in counters will be also be increased from 24 to 48 and the number of immigration counters will be increased from 10 to 20.

Statistics
The following table provides details of the major traffic flows out of Lahore interms of passenger numbers, aircraft movements, cargo as well as mail. The results were collected by the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan: 13

Year

Aircraft movements

Passengers (Intl & Domestic)

Cargo handled (M. Tons)

Mail handled (M. Tons)

2005 27,716

5,157,354

NA

NA

2006 43,775

3,189,161

79,894

680.16

2007 39,634

3,091,590

74,664

1,683.79

Airlines and destinations

A PIA B747-367 departs Allama Iqbal International Airport

Domestic
Destinations Airlines Airblue Karachi Pakistan International Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan,Islamabad, Hyderabad, Karachi, Multan, Nawabshah, Airlines Peshawar, Quetta, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur Shaheen Air Karachi International

An Aero Asia B737-200 on finals to Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore

14

Shaheen Air International Boeing 737-200 at Allama Iqbal International Airport.

International
Destinations Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Sharjah Dubai Abu Dhabi Bahrain Kuwait City Abu Dhabi, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Barcelona, Beijing-Capital, Copenhagen, Dammam, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt [from 14 June], Glasgow-International, Hong Pakistan International Kong, Jeddah, Kuwait City, London-Heathrow, London-Stansted, Manchester, MilanAirlines Malpensa, Muscat, New York-JFK, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh, TokyoNarita, Toronto-Pearson Qatar Airways Doha Saudi Arabian Jeddah, Riyadh, Medina Airlines Shaheen Air Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain, Bandar Abbas (tech stop), Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat International Singapore Airlines Singapore Thai Airways Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi International Turkish Airlines Istanbul-Atatrk [Begins 2009] Uzbekistan Airways Tashkent Airlines airblue Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Kuwait Airways

Cargo

PIA Fokker F27 and Lufthansa Cargo MD-11F in the background 15

Charter
Airlines Askari Aviation Islamabad EuroAtlantic Airways Lisbon Sky Gate Amman International Aviation Royal Airlines Karachi Schon Air Karachi Mondial Airlines Destinations

Awards and recognitions

Allama Iqbal International Airport was ranked the world's leading airport by Singapore Airlines in service performance in 2006. Events In December 1999, an Indian Airlines Flight 814 jet was hijacked in Nepal by people sympathetic to militants fighting against Indian rule in Kashmir. The aircraft landed at Allama Iqbal International Airport for a few hours and left for Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Benazir Bhutto International Airport

Islamabad International Airport Chaklala Airbase

Benazir Bhutto International Airport

Benazir Bhutto International Airport or Chaklala Airbase (Urdu: ( )IATA: ISB, ICAO: OPRN) is the third largest airport in Pakistan, it is located in Rawalpindi, Punjab. It was previously known as Islamabad International Airport but was renamed after Benazir Bhutto by PM Yusuf Raza Gillani on Friday, 21 June 2008. The airport is actually located outside of Islamabad, in the area of Chaklala Rawalpindi. Being the main airport for the Pakistani 16
IATA: ISB ICAO: OPRN

Summary
Public / Military Pakistan Civil Aviation Operator Authority Serves Islamabad Location Rawalpindi, Punjab Elevation AMSL 1,688 ft / 508 m Website islamabadairport.com.pk Airport type

Runways
Direction 12/30 Length m ft 3,287 10,785 Surface Asphalt

Sources: AIP Pakistan[1] and DAFIF[2][3]

capital it often hosts officials and citizens from other nations. The airfield is shared with the transport and liaison squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force. Due to the ever-growing need for better facilities and services available for passengers, The Government of Pakistan is constructing a new airport in Islamabad. It has been estimated that the airport will be the biggest in Pakistan. The new location of the Islamabad International Airport has been selected at Fateh Jang (or at Tarnol, as reported by other sources [5] ), nearly 5 km from Islamabad. The construction of the new airport is underway and completion is estimated to be in 2010. In fiscal year 2004-2005, over 2.8 million passengers used Benazir Bhutto International Airport. 23,436 aircraft movements were registered. It is a focus city of Airblue.The airport serves as the primary hub for the flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. It is also the hub of Shaheen Air International.

Structure

The baggage claim for international passengers Situated outside the capital city of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto International Airport handles VIP passengers who are foreign diplomats or high government or military officials. The Rawal Lounge has been designated for use by such passengers. It provides an executive environment with all the required facilities for such high-profile distinguished guests. [6] There are separate lounges for international and domestic economy passengers. The domestic and international lounges have been provided with all the required facilities that include snack bars, satellite TV, public telephone and Internet services. There are also 17

lounges for transit passengers who may be travelling further internationally or domestically. The lounges also have designated prayer areas. The CIP/VIP lounge can be used by first and business class passengers travelling on international or domestic flights. Passengers have to be issued an airline card from the check-in staff. The cost is USD 6.00 per international passenger and 100 rupees for domestic passengers. There are also light savoury snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, satellite TVs, newspapers and magazines, telephones, fax facilities, and free wireless Internet. Passengers who require banks which offer credit card facilities can use Askari Bank Ltd. The airport has a wide variety of duty-free shops, restaurants, free wireless Internet services and a souvenir shop. The current airport is able to handle 11 wide body aircraft at one time, with additional five parking places for light general aviation aircraft. At the moment, the airport does not have any air bridges installed, so buses take the passengers from the airport terminal to the aircraft where air stairs are used. There are numerous television monitors and mobile connecting points in the terminal to allow passengers to check flight times and recharge their phones. There are a string of financial exchange counters and commercial banks such as National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Ltd, and MCB Bank Ltd. MCB and Royal Bank of Scotland [formerly ABN AMRO Bank] have also launched ATMs that are linked to the global MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro networks.

Airlines and destinations

Domestic

Rawalpindi acts as a secondary hub for the national flag carrier, PIA
Destinations Airlines Airblue Karachi Pakistan International Bahawalpur, Chitral, Dera Ghazi Khan, Gilgit, Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore, Airlines Multan,faisalabad, Nawabshah, Peshawar, Quetta, Rahim Yar Khan, Skardu, Sukkur Shaheen Air Karachi

18

International

International

Airblue A321 at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

Airlines Airblue Askari Aviation Ariana Afghan Airlines China Southern Airlines Emirates Etihad Airways Gulf Air Kuwait Airways Kyrgyzstan Airlines Destinations Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Manchester, Sharjah Kabul Urmqi

Dubai Abu Dhabi Bahrain Kuwait Bishkek seasonal Al Ain, Amsterdam, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Barcelona, Beijing-Capital, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Frankfurt [from 14 June], Hong Pakistan International Kong, Istanbul-Atatrk, Jeddah, Kabul, Kathmandu, Leeds/Bradford, LondonAirlines Heathrow, London-Stansted, Manchester, Milan-Malpensa, Muscat, New York-JFK, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh, Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson Qatar Airways Doha Saudi Arabian Jeddah, Madinah, Riyadh Airlines Shaheen Air Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait International Royal Airlines Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Sui Airport, Sukkur Thai Airways Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi International

Cargo terminal
19

Airblue A321 at Benazir Bhutto International Airport.

Destinations Airlines Emirates SkyCargo Dubai, Taipei Reem Air Sharjah Royal Airlines Cargo Star Air TCS Couriers Dubai, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, London

Events

On July 9, 1971, National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger flew from the then named Islamabad International Airport to meet with Zhou Enlai of China.

Dera Ghazi Khan International Airport

Dera Ghazi Khan Airport or D. G. Khan Airport (IATA: DEA, ICAO: OPDG) is situated 10 km away from the city centre of Dera Ghazi Khan, a city in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is not as large as the other airports in Pakistan, as it caters mainly to the population of Dera Ghazi Khan. Dera Ghazi Khan Airport
IATA: DEA ICAO: OPDG

Summary
Public Pakistan Civil Operator Aviation Authority Dera Ghazi Khan, Serves Punjab, Pakistan Elevation AMSL 486 ft / 148 m Airport type

Airlines and destinations

Domestic

Runways
Direction 18/36 Length m ft 1,981 6,499
[1][2]

Pakistan International Airlines (Bahawalpur, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore)

Surface Asphalt

Source: DAFIF

International 20

Pakistan International Airlines (Dubai)

Airports in Pakistan
Islamabad ISB/OPRN | Karachi KHI/OPKC | Lahore - LHE/OPLA | Peshawar - PES/OPPS | Faisalabad - LYP/OPFA | Gwadar GWD/OPGD | Multan - MUX/OPMT | Quetta - UET/OPQT | Sialkot - SKT/OPST | Turbat - TUK/OPTU | Rahim Yar Khan - RYK/OPRK | Dera Ghazi Khan - DEA/OPDG Bahawalpur BHV/OPBW | Chitral CJL/OPCH | Dalbandin DBA/OPDB | Dera Ismail Khan - DSK/OPDI | Gilgit - GIL/OPGT | Hyderabad - HDD/OPKD | Kadanwari - KCF/OP** | Moenjodaro MJD/OPMJ] | Nawabshah - WNS/OPNH | Panjgur Airport - PJG/OPPG | Parachinar - PAJ/OPPC | Pasni - PSI/OPPI | Sehwan - SYW/OPSN | Sialkot Cantonment - OPRQ | Skardu - KDU/OPSD | Sui - SUL/OPSD | Sukkur - SKZ/OPSK | Zhob - PZH/OPZB

International airports

Domestic airports

Expansion

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 with PIA. The sixth arrived shortly after and PIA operated the six aircraft mainly on its North American and European routes. In October 2002, after a period of ten years without any new order, the airline purchased eight Boeing 777 aircraft from The Boeing Company, including three 777-200ER (Extended Range), two 77721

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. 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 777-200ER aircraft in January. On delivery of the first three Boeing 777-200ERs the airline introduced a new aircraft livery, 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] On 6 December 2005, PIA leased an additional new Boeing 777-200ER 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 on ten year lease to the airline. On February 25, 2006 Boeing delivered its first 777-200LR Worldliner to PIA, where it flew from Everett to Islamabad via Manchester, England. PIA started nonstop flights from Toronto to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore from March 3 2006 taking advantage of Boeing 777-200LR's long range capability. PIA planned non-stop flights to New York City and other US cities with sizable Pakistani population centres, but was not given permission due to security reasons. 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 777300ER. After 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. The military planes were being used after the Fokker F27 fleet was grounded due to a fatal crash in July 2006.

A pair of Boeing 747-200BM stored at the newly constructed Sialkot International Airport in 2008 On March 5, 2007, the European Commission banned all but eight planes of PIA's 44plane fleet from flying to Europe citing safety concerns. PIA was blacklisted by 27 European Union states. The remaining eight, namely the fleet of Boeing 777s, has been exempted from the ban. PIA claims that this is discriminatory and the bans are not justifiable. On March 26, 2007, Tariq Saeed Kirmani resigned after severe pressure from higher authorities because of the EU ban. Zafar Khan was appointed as the new chairman of Pakistan International Airlines. A team from the European Union visited Karachi in July 2007, to check the condition of the planes and review the ban. On July 5, 2007, the EU lifted the restriction on 11 aircraft that PIA could fly into Europe, of which five were 22

Boeing 747-300s and six Airbus A310-300s.. On November 29, 2007, The EU completely lifted the ban on PIA.. In the same year, PIA signed a lease deal for seven new Airbus A320-200 from Kuwait based leasing company ALAFCO, the factory built aircraft were to be delivered between 2009 and 2010, however the deal however was cancelled in 2008 due to various factors. On March 19, 2008, PIA decided to retire its Boeing 747 fleet due to rising fuel costs On May 7, 2008, Captain M. Aijaz Haroon was appointed the new Managing Director and decided to re-introduce the Boeing 747s

Privatisation
PIA is owned by the government of Pakistan. 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 the privatisation 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 privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) however no agreement was reached. The government has many times planned the privitisation of the State owned. however as of yet no reasonable agreement or solution has been found. On February 18, 2009 the carrier was dropped from the privatisation list.

Financial performance
The profitability of PIA as published in the 2007 annual report by Pakistan International Airlines Corporation with figures in millions of Pakistani Rupees. The following table suggests the key financial results for the end of year period of the financial year. Year Revenues Rs Millions Profit/(Loss) Rs Millions 2007 70,481 2006 70,587 2005 64,074 (13,339) (12,763) (4,412) 23

2004 57,770 2003 47,788

2,307 1,299

Destinations
Pakistan International Airlines destinations
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) currently serves the following destinations as of April 2009.

PIA's current and former destinations - Green representing the current countires PIA flies to. Whilst the gold represents former countires 24

Asia
East Asia

China, People's Republic of o Beijing (Beijing Capital International Airport) o Hong Kong (Hong Kong International Airport) Japan o Tokyo (Narita International Airport)

South Asia

Afghanistan o Kabul (Kabul International Airport) Bangladesh o Dhaka (Zia International Airport) India o Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport) o Mumbai (Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport) Nepal o Kathmandu (Tribhuvan International Airport)

Pakistan

Balochistan o Dalbandin (Dalbandin Airport) o Gwadar (Gwadar International Airport) o Panjgur (Panjgur Airport) o Quetta (Quetta International Airport) o Turbat (Turbat International Airport) Islamabad Capital Territory o Islamabad - Rawalpindi (Benazir Bhutto International Airport) Hub Northern Areas o Gilgit (Gilgit Airport) o Skardu (Skardu Airport) North West Frontier Province (NWFP) o Chitral (Chitral Airport) o Dera Ismail Khan (Dera Ismail Khan Airport) o Peshawar (Peshawar International Airport) Focus City Punjab o Bahawalpur (Bahawalpur Airport) o Dera Ghazi Khan (Dera Ghazi Khan Airport) o Faisalabad (Faisalabad International Airport) 25

o o o o

Lahore (Allama Iqbal International Airport) Hub Multan (Multan International Airport) Rahim Yar Khan (Shaikh Zayed International Airport) Sialkot (Sialkot International Airport) Hyderabad (Hyderabad Airport) Karachi (Jinnah International Airport) Hub Moenjodaro (Moenjodaro Airport) Nawabshah (Nawabshah Airport) Sukkur (Sukkur Airport)

Sindh
o o o o o

Southeast Asia

Malaysia o Kuala Lumpur (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) Thailand o Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport)

Southwest Asia

Bahrain o Manama (Bahrain International Airport) Kuwait o Kuwait City (Kuwait International Airport) Oman o Muscat (Muscat International Airport) Qatar o Doha (Doha International Airport) Saudi Arabia o Dammam (King Fahd International Airport) o Jeddah (King Abdulaziz International Airport) o Riyadh (King Khalid International Airport) United Arab Emirates o Abu Dhabi (Abu Dhabi International Airport) o Al Ain (Al Ain International Airport) o Dubai (Dubai International Airport) Focus City o Sharjah (Sharjah International Airport)

Europe

Denmark o Copenhagen (Copenhagen Airport) France o Paris (Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport) Germany o Frankfurt (Frankfurt Airport) [restarts 14 June] [1] Italy 26

Milan (Malpensa Airport) Netherlands o Amsterdam (Amsterdam Airport Schiphol) Norway o Oslo (Oslo Airport, Gardermoen) Spain o Barcelona (Barcelona Airport) Turkey o Istanbul (Atatrk International Airport) United Kingdom o Birmingham (Birmingham International Airport) o Glasgow (Glasgow International Airport) o Leeds/Bradford (Leeds Bradford International Airport) o London (Heathrow Airport) (Stansted Airport) o Manchester (Manchester Airport)
o

North America

Canada
o Toronto (Toronto Pearson International Airport) United States o New York City (John F. Kennedy International Airport)

Terminated destinations
PIA served the following international cities.

Terminated destinations in Africa

Egypt - Cairo Kenya - Nairobi Libya - Tripoli Nigeria - Kano, Lagos Somalia - Mogadishu Tanzania - Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro

Terminated destinations in Asia

Terminated destinations in Central Asia

Kazakhstan - Almaty 27

Turkmenistan - Ashgabat Uzbekistan - Tashkent

Terminated destinations in East Asia

China - Guangzhou, Shanghai, Urumqi

Terminated destinations in South Asia

Afghanistan - Kandahar India - Calcutta Maldives - Mal Sri Lanka - Colombo

Terminated destinations in Southeast Asia

Indonesia - Jakarta Myanmar - Yangon Philippines - Manila Singapore - Singapore

Terminated destinations in Southwest Asia

Iran - Mashhad, Tehran, Zahedan Iraq - Baghdad Jordan - Amman Lebanon - Beirut Saudi Arabia - Dhahran Syria - Damascus United Arab Emirates - Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah Yemen - Aden, Sanaa

Terminated destinations in West Asia

Azerbaijan - Baku

Terminated destinations in Europe

Albania - Tirana Austria - Vienna Greece - Athens Germany - Munich Ireland - Shannon (USA immigration check stopover) Italy - Rome Russia - Moscow Switzerland - Geneva, Zurich

Terminated destinations in North America

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United States - Chicago, Houston, Washington

PIA Online Ticketing

Flying PIA is now easier than ever before. Just log on to www.piac.com.pk and book and purchase your online ticket using your credit card. Web ticketing is conveniently accessible with swift issuance of tickets from home, office or anywhere for travel between major domestic stations of Pakistan and international stations of USA, Canada, Norway, Denmark, UK and UAE. Experience secure and convenient online transactions. This Airline staff is so incompitent that they are still not able to offer online webticketing to all of its destinations Like Amsterdam,Barcelona.Frankfurt.etc. The Airline suffering from great financial losses and expected to be bankrupt very soon.the average number of employees of PIA is 450per Aircraft.which highest in the world.

Codeshares
PIA have code share agreements with the following carriers [17]:

Aerosvit Airlines (Karachi - Kiev) China Southern Airlines (Islamabad - Beijing/Urumqi) ^ Thai Airways International (Islamabad/Karachi/Lahore Bangkok) ^^ Turkish Airlines ^^ (Islamabad/Karachi - Istanbul) ^^

Passenger operations
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PIA offers a three class configuration on its domestic routes which include Business Plus, Economy Plus and Economy. However on their international flights a two class configuration, Business Plus and Economy, has remained popular. According to the Annual Report 2007, PIA recorded a seat factor of 69%, a percentage drop from 2006. PIA Business Plus passengers are offered flat bed seats on all Boeing 777 as well as select Airbus A310 aircraft. Newspapers and magazines are available to all Business Plus and Economy Plus class passengers on PIA flights. Free newspapers are also provided to all Economy class passengers. The PIA in-flight magazine, Humsafar (Urdu for "travel companion"), is provided to all passengers on all international flights. Humsafar was introduced on PIA flights in 1980 and is printed and published in-house on a bi-monthly basis. 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 programme participants. 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 and services of PIA's partners. PIA Catering are the main suppliers of meals for the airline. They can produce 15,000 passenger meals each day. the management control of the flight kitchens has been given to Singapore Air Terminal Services (SATS). PIA Catering also provide special meals to allow for passengers' dietary and religious needs.

Fleet
Pakistan International Airlines fleet includes the following aircraft (as of March 2009)

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Pakistan International Airlines Fleet

Type

Total

Passenger (Business/Economy Plus*/Economy)

Routes

Notes

Airbus 12 A310-300

184 (12/40/132) 205 (18/43/144) (18/45/142)

long, medium and short haul Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta 6 of which Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Bangkok, Kuala are leased Lumpur, Delhi, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Mumbai, Abu from Dhabi, Al Ain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Airbus Kuwait, Muscat, Riyadh Amsterdam, Barcelona, Frankfurt [from 24 April], Glasgow, Istanbul, Leeds/Bradford, London-LHR, London-STN, Manchester

ATR 42500

48 (0/8/40)

short haul Islamabad, Gilgit, all of Balochistan, NWFP, Punjab, Sindh Kabul, Muscat, Sharjah

Boeing 737-300

118 (0/24/94) 119 (0/27/92)

medium and short haul Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Skardu, Sukkur, all of Punjab Delhi, Kabul, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat

Boeing 747-200 Combi

298 (38/30/196)

medium and short haul Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore Hong Kong, Bangkok, Delhi, Dhaka, Mumbai

Boeing 747-300

433 (45/60/328)

medium and short haul Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore Dhaka, Kuala Lumpur, Jeddah, Riyadh

Boeing 777200ER

320 (35/45/240) 329 (35/54/240)

long, medium and short haul 1 of which Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar is leased from ILFC Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Copenhagen, LondonLHR, Manchester, Milan, Oslo, Paris, New York

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long, medium, short and ultra-long haul

Airbus A310-300

Boeing 777-200ER Boeing 777-300ER Boeing 747-300

Fleet orders and changes

In 2007, PIA reached an agreement with Aviation Lease and Finance Company (ALAFCO) of Kuwait, for the leasing of seven new A320-200 aircraft to replace Boeing 737-300 fleet concurrent with the new induction in 2009. However, according to sources the deal has been cancelled yet neither PIA nor ALAFCO have officially announced closure of the deal. In first quarter 2009, PIA were seeking dry lease of some aircraft for induction in their fleet, these were 3 Airbus A300-600/Airbus A310-300 and 2-3 Boeing 737-300/Boeing 737-400 depending on availability, but this too has been postponted.

Livery
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, 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, the PIA acronym was enlarged and moved onto the fuselage, the other A310 continued operating in the original version for a while before being repainted.

Airbus A310-300 AP-BEU plate 'Peshawar' PIA first flight to Barcelona from Lahore. 2009-03-29

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In early 2006 the airline launched four new tail designs for its fleet. The tails represented the four provinces of Pakistan: Sindh, Punjab, North-West Frontier Province and Balochistan.. 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 colourful 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 colourful 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 colours dominated by red. The "Sindh" tail was influenced from the Hala tile work with electric blue and white floral patterns. In April 2009 PIA management decided to revert to the flag tail design of 2004, an A310 reg. AP-BEB has been repainted in the flag replacing Sindh provincial scheme.

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. 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.

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.[22] PIA is one of the official sponsors of the "Destination Pakistan 2007" festivals.[23] 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. 34

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 Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT). [24]

Achievements and recognitions

First airline from an Asian country to fly the Super Constellation. First Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft. 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). First non-communist airline to fly to the People's Republic of China, and operate a service between Asia and Europe via Moscow. First airline in Asia to induct the new technology Boeing 737-300 aircraft. First airline in the world to operate scheduled helicopter services. First airline to show in-flight movies on international routes. 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, the capital city of Norway. First airline in the world to induct the Boeing 777-200LR, the world's longest range commercial airliner. First airline in the world to take delivery of the Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner (Longer Range Variant). Pakistan International Airlines Flight Services Department was awarded the ISO 9001:2000 certification award during May 2006. First airline in Pakistan to operate a flight with an all female crew at command and in the cabin. First airline in the world to operate the Boeing 777-200ER, 777-200LR and 777300ER altogether - all the three variants available on the market at the time. PIA Flight Kitchens in Karachi were awarded the HACCP Certification. [25]

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Special operations
Charter services
PIA operates private charter flights using ATR 42s to Kadanwari and Sewan Sharif gas field 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, and 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 A300B4s and Boeing 737-400s.

Head of state transportation

PIA is mainly meant for serving President of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan.However it also serve people of pakistan as a side business. PIA has always transported the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan on overseas visits. During the late 1990s, a PIA Boeing 737-300[26] 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 A310to 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.

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.

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

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PIA Flight 705 was a Boeing 720 040 B that crashed while descending to land on Runway 34 at Cairo International Airport on May 20, 1965 resulting in 119 fatalities. PIA Flight 740 was a Boeing 707-340C that crashed after takeoff from Jeddah International Airport on November 26, 1979. Flight PK740 departed Jeddah at 01:29 for a flight to Karachi. PIA Flight 268 was an Airbus A300B4-203, registration AP-BCP, which crashed on approach to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport on September 28, 1992. All 167 on board were killed. PIA Flight 544 was the flight number of a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Fokker F27 that was hijacked on May 25, 1998. All passengers and crew were unhurt during the incident. At 12:05 pm on July 10, 2006., a Fokker F27 was scheduled to operate from Multan to Lahore and then to Islamabad. It crashed into a field.after bursting into flames a few minutes after takeoff from Multan International Airport. All 41 passengers and four crewmembers on board PIA Flight 688 were killed.

SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS

WELL-ESTABLISHED BRANDS WIDE DISTRIBUTION NETWORK LATEST TECHNOLOGY MARKETING KNOWLEDGE ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES COMPETENT & MOTIVATED WORKFORCE

WEAKNESSES
FAILURE TO LAUNCH NEW

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RELIANCE ON FEW BRANDS HIGH COST OF THE PRODUCTS

OPPORTUNITIES
RELATED DIVERSIFICATION UNRELATED DIVERSIFICATION

THREATS
STRONG COMPETITION GOVT. REGULATIONS THE NEW EMERGING COMPANIES ARE PREVAILING THE OPPORTUNITIES FROM THOSE AREAS WHERE THIS HAS NOT ACCESS.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

By proper implication of PIAC laws, government influence can be reduced, to get better results and profitable operations. PIA has inducted MBA's, MPA's but mostly they are employed at lower 38

lev re it is recommended that on the higher posts, professionals should be els. brought to run the PIA affairs on the commercial organization pattern with The more delegation of authority. refo marketing official should emphasis on implementation of Award Plus program to create New Horizon for up-coming increasing Air Travel market of both International / Domestic Through Award Plus program PIA can create New Passengers for enhancement of their revenue for more profit. Sales promotion officers of Marketing Department should brief the travel Agents about the Award Plus program and its benefits for the passenger.

Frequent meetings should be planned at each level between departmental head and his subordinates to develop good relationship which will provide good working atmosphere and sense of commitment and involvement in lower managem

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Through job specification and motivation of employees the targets can be achieved

Marketing strategies should be very clear and understandable to all employees as well as to the passenger. Marketing intelligence should show the actual picture of PIAs competitors to the higher management. PIA has introduced RM fares which are also called the market fare they should be implemented properly in the market through marketing department.

In year 2006 Budget for Promotion and Advertisement was 2% and in 2007 it decreased to 1%, which is even lesser then Welfare and Social Security Cost (3%). So it is recommended that budget for promotional activities should be adequately allocated, so that mass awareness among the potential customers is created. PIA seriously lacks long term planning for routes, fleets, and airport services and for employees. So more emphasis must be given over it The airline industry has become very price sensitive. Only those airlines would survive which will provide more quality service at lower fare level. So Pricing Strategies must be considered after looking at different competitions, domestically and internationally. Resources are scarce in the hands of PIA so instead of going out of their way to get latest technologies they must try to fulfill their requirements in existing facilities through proper planning

Proper training is essential for airline staff, training refresher should be arranged, repeated and made necessary for continuation of job for low and middle and top level of management. Computer training with modern equipment and updated software should be given and then their skills should be used in their work instead of manual working

References
1. ^ "Annual Report 2006 (Part-I)" (PDF). Pakistan International Airlines Corporation. 2007-04-03. http://www.piac.com.pk/PIA_About/profiles/2006/PIA_Annual_Report_2006P1.pdf. Retrieved on 2007-08-14. 2. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_airlines_in_Asia 3. ^ "Directory: World Airlines". Flight International: p. 61. 2007-04-10. 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. ^ PIA in the old days History of PIA, assessed 03-02-2009 7. ^ E.U. to ban PIA 8. ^ EU banes Pakistan airline flights - BBC News - Obtained March 5, 2007. 9. ^ Pakstrategy: EU Lifts ban on Eleven PIA Planes 10. ^ EU Lifts ban on PIA Brecorder Newspapers, Accessed December 1, 2007 11. ^ PIA grounds jumbos to cut fuel bill 12. ^ Aijaz takes over as PIA MD Dawn Newspapers Accessed 16 May 2008 13. ^ Grounded PIA Jumbo Jets flying again - Jang Newspapers, Accessed 22-052008 14. ^ PIA privatisation Flight International Magazine, printed 01-01-1997, assessed 09-03-2009 15. ^ Pak Steel, PIA dropped from privatisation list The News, Jang Newspapers Published 18-02-2009, assessed 09-03-2009 16. ^ [1] 17. ^ PIA moves towards Global Alliances Pakistan International Airlines Press Release, assessed 03-04-2007 18. ^ PIA Annual Report 2006-2007 19. ^ About PIA - Flight Kitchens