Since there is no refuelling at GIL/KDU/CJL it is not possible to operate direct flights to/from LHE. There will always have to be a stopover at ISB on the way back or vice versa.
The flying time between Lahore and these three cities will be maybe an extra 20 minutes compared to Islamabad.
i think the ATR72 could have carried enough fuel for a three hour flight from Lahore to the Northern Areas and back.
If the ATR72 has the range to fly nonstop from Muscat to Jeddah, I am sure it lift enough fuel along with payload to Lahore-Gilgit-Lahore flight.
Since there is no refuelling at GIL/KDU/CJL it is not possible to operate direct flights to/from LHE. There will always have to be a stopover at ISB on the way back or vice versa.
The flying time between Lahore and these three cities will be maybe an extra 20 minutes compared to Islamabad.
i think the ATR72 could have carried enough fuel for a three hour flight from Lahore to the Northern Areas and back.
If the ATR72 has the range to fly nonstop from Muscat to Jeddah, I am sure it lift enough fuel along with payload to Lahore-Gilgit-Lahore flight.
Not about range. It’s about take off/landing weight limitations due to short runways at GIL/CJL.
PIA has submitted ATR 72-500 dry lease details to Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with a delay of more than eighteen months. Leasing of these aircraft caused loss of billion of rupees to the airline. Two members of PIA Board of Directors that approved acquisition of these aircraft on dry lease will also be questioned by FIA.
According to news sources, FIA Corporate Crime Circle will question participants of PIA 364th Board of Directors meeting that approved acquisition of five ATR 72-500 aircraft on dry lease. The five aircraft joined PIA fleet in year 2015.
The lease of these five ATR 72-500 caused loss of more than seven billion rupees to PIA.
Prime Minister Imran Khan during a meeting with PIA officials today advised that action must be taken against individuals involved in acquiring aircraft on expensive lease terms for the airline.
There is no real usage left for these Aircraft due to COVID. PIA can't do any thing but waiting for lease term to be expired so these can be returned back. Any body have idea when the lease term is going to be expired?
I found this thread. Deliveries were happen in march-april of 2015. If it is for 6 years, PIA will be fine and if it is for 8 years it would be an issue.