PIA Applies for Permission to Start Flights for Australia

[Abbas Ali]

Today, PIA submitted an application to Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for authorization to start weekly scheduled passenger flights between Pakistan and Australia from March 14, 2022.



Abbas

[Amaad Lone]

This culture of twice a week flights has to end.

Its not 1982 its 2022.

PIA needs a smaller 250 seat aircraft that can operate long routes.

I recently looked at the A330-800 in two class layout 24/226 seats it can carry 250 pax at 13500 km range, consuming 4,500 kg of fuel per hour.

such an aircraft can provide PIA the flexibility it needs to operate out of 4 hubs (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Peshawar)

Since its a replacement for the A330-200 (most of which are still operating) it has not done well, but for an airline like PIA it can work well.

[Usman123]

Yes a330 200 can replace the 200 lrs and a330 300s can replace 200 ers but even if they had the cash to buy new widebodies they should go for 787 models which provide the best efficiency of fuel

[raza]

Keep on dreaming, I give the one after that the route will be closed. If a lock down comes, then even earlier.

[Amaad Lone]

Yes a330 200 can replace the 200 lrs and a330 300s can replace 200 ers but even if they had the cash to buy new widebodies they should go for 787 models which provide the best efficiency of fuel

I am not advocating that PIA gets the A330-200, I am suggesting we get the A330-800 model that is very fuel efficient.

787 is a great aircraft and huge number have been sold. But if you ever read the reviews of passengers about the 787 its really poor. It was originally a 2-4-2 layout aircraft and later on Boeing made it 3-3-3 which makes it very cramped, versus the A330 which is 2-4-2 and much liked by passengers.

Plus there is no cash to buy new wide bodies, we are talking about LEASING AIRCRAFT.

[M003486]

This will be interesting. As PIA closed down their office in Sydney in 2013

Below is an article from a local Pakistani media outlet in Australia in regards to PIA closing its office in 2013 and the thoughts of the last GM of PIA to Australia and New Zealand.

Article dated Mid 2013.

" Pakistan International Airlines is in financial crisis and recently the higher Authority of PIA has decided to close down the office in Australia due to it becoming non profitable. PIA office Sydney was established 35 years ago. Mr. Tauqir Khan, Arshad Javed, Shahid Afzal Khan, Syed Sarfaraz Zaidi, Nouman Munir and Nadeem Jaffer worked as the PIA Managers.Every Manager at his capacity, tried to get more and more Passengers for PIA.

PIA office at Sydney will be closed from mid-September 2013. Syed Nadeem Jaffer was the last Area Manager for Australia & New Zealand.He Left Sydney in 2011 and joined Head office Karachi as a Senior Executive. Until Now Pakistan International Airlines did not appoint new Manager for Australia.

Mr. Nadeem Jaffer worked hard for Pakistan International Airlines, he personally contacted all travel agents and requested the promotion of PIA Business. Mr. Nadeem was very close with the Pakistani Community and always requested everyone to Travel on PIA. For better communication, he also shifted PIA office at the best city circle of Sydney. It is true that since last few years, PIA Economy class passengers were getting improved facilities and food of high quality but Timetable Schedule of Flights and Long Transit stay was not suitable for passengers who were traveling from Australia to Pakistan.

Sada-e-Watan Sydney and Pakistan Association of Australia awarded Mr. Nadeem Jaffer for his commendable work and he has been appreciated by the whole Community, but he could not save the PIA office in Australia. Mr. Nadeem Jaffer always promoted the Idea to start PIA Flight from Singapore to Sydney & Melbourne but the Management of PIA never agreed with feasibility report due to high expenses of the new route to Australia. We still believe that PIA has the capability to turn a profit from the Australian sector."

[inducedrag]

It will be a new gateway for cabin crew to go missing congratulations

[jam2k94]

What said positive or negative above is correct but let see how it move further. Don't just start like mother in law (ساس).

[Abbas Ali]

[Pineapple]

Timing is interesting for this, visit of Aust cricket team after 24yrs.

Btw little bit off-topic but Sam Chui captured Qantas A330 at ISB in his latest video review of Serene Air business class.

[Abbas Ali]

PIA Lahore to Australia flights to start soon, says airline's CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik.


NEO News

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has said PIA is planning to start direct flights to Australia.

Talking to media persons on Sunday, Mr Khan said initially two weekly flights would operate between Karachi, Lahore and Sydney, and later Islamabad would also be added.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1677403/pia-p ... s-minister

[arshad.altaf]

Lets hope that PIA gets the permission to fly to Australia. The "diehard diaspora" will only fly if the planes are comfortable enough to sustain this long haul flight. The state of affair PIA"s 777s are, there is an urgent need of a kala bakra sadaqa which can trigger some common sense in the management and improve the cabin of these planes.

[jam2k94]

The 15th of March is coming near and is there any info for the start of Australian flights?

[Abbas Ali]

^ PIA has invited bids to hire aircraft Ground Handling services at Sydney Airport and the last date to submit proposals is March 25, 2022.

So, it's going to take sometime to make arrangements (crew hotel stay, in-flight catering etc.) for starting PIA flights to/from Sydney, in case the airline is allowed by the Australian authorities.



Abbas