PIA to Pre-qualify Chartered Aircraft Operators for European and UK Routes from April to September 2021

[Abbas Ali]

In order to meet is requirements for charter operations on European and UK routes, PIA intends to pre-qualify experienced charter operators having EU/EASA cleared wide-body aircraft with following mandatory requirements:

Seating configuration: 250 plus (in two-class configuration)
Vintage: 2008 onward
Availability for charter flights: April 1, 2021, till September 30, 2021
IOSA certification for operator: Required

Pre-qualification status will be awarded for a period till September 30, 2021. During this period, PIA will invite commercial offers only from the pre-qualified operators as and when the need for charter arises.

Proposals submitted will be opened on March 15, 2021.



Source: PIA

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Does it mean PIA not hopeful of getting EASA restrictions lifted before the end of September 2021?

EASA restrictions not allowing PIA to use its own aircraft for European/UK route flights since July 1, 2020.

Presently, PIA using chartered Hi Fly Airbus A330 aircraft for flights linking Islamabad with Manchester (UK) and Paris (France).


Source: flightradar24.com

Abbas

[planefan2003]

So PIA boeing 777s will return from October?

[Abbas Ali]

Advertisement in February 12 newspaper:



Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Pre-qualified bidders for operation of chartered aircraft flights between Pakistan and Europe/UK with PIA passengers from April to September 2021 are:

Turkish Airlines
SriLankan Airlines
Hi Fly
Etihad Airways

Info Source: PIA

Abbas

[GEnx]

Is this not possible for PIA to just hire some EASA qualified B777 pilots and utilize its own aircraft instead of hiring chartered aircraft? On one hand, PIAs own B777s are mostly sitting idle(some are dry leased). Then, PIA is also paying for the chartered jets.

[Abbas Ali]

^ I think EASA restrictions include everything related to Pakistan and/or regulated by Pakistan CAA including Pakistani airlines, Pakistan registered aircraft, aircraft crew licenses issued in Pakistan etc.

Abbas

[flyingsystem]

Is this not possible for PIA to just hire some EASA qualified B777 pilots and utilize its own aircraft instead of hiring chartered aircraft? On one hand, PIAs own B777s are mostly sitting idle(some are dry leased). Then, PIA is also paying for the chartered jets.

It's not just an issue with PIA pilots, bit more generally with Pakistani CAA, so even if they could do what you said, it would still not be possible because all Pakistani airlines are under the authority of Pakistan CAA which means crews and aircrafts...
edit: yes, exactly what Mr Abbas said.

[planefan2003]

At least we will have some IFE system

[Abrardh1]

At least we will have some IFE system

That's if they update it once the change over happens.

[Abbas Ali]

According to PIA bids evaluation report:

Most advantageous bidders are:

Hi Fly
SriLankan Airlines
Etihad Airways

Aircraft offered by Hi Fly include:



Airbus A330-300 registration 9H-TAJ
Airbus A330-900 registration CS-TKY

Aircraft offered by SriLankan Airlines include:



Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALL
Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALM
Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALN
Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALO
Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALP
Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALQ
Airbus A330-300 registration 4R-ALR

Aircraft offered by Etihad Airways include:



Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLF
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLG
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLH
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLI
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLJ
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLK
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLL
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLM
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLN
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLO
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLP
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLQ
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLR
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLS
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLT
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLU
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLV
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLW
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLX
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLY
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BLZ
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BNA
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BNB
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BNC
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner registration A6-BND

Info source: PIA

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Recently, PIA transported hundreds of Pakistanis from London, Manchester and Paris to Islamabad/Lahore through thirteen flights operated with chartered Hi Fly Airbus A330-900neo, informed Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan in the National Assembly today.

Abbas