Poor Performance of Pakistani Aviation Sector

Discuss issues and news related to PIA, Pakistani airlines and Pakistan's civil & military aviation.
Amaad Lone
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Joined: Thu Aug 05, 2004 7:10 pm
Location: Lahore

Poor Performance of Pakistani Aviation Sector

Post by Amaad Lone »

Vietjet of Vietnam has just ordered 150 A321-Neos. They are currently operating 100 aircraft already.

Other than Vietjet the flag carrier Vietam Airlines operates 78 aircraft including A350s and 787s.

This is a country with 100 million people, and an area that is slightly smaller than the size of Punjab and Sindh combined.

Vietnam GDP is almost equal to Pakistan GDP.

So why is our aviation sector in such poor condition.

20 aircraft for PIA
12 aircraft for Air Blue
6 aircraft for Fly Jinnah
7 aircraft for Air Sial
3 aircraft for Serene Air.

48 aircraft for a country of 250 million with an official GDP of 450 billion dollars, while Vietnam that until 35 years ago operated a handful of Russian planes now boasts a fleet of nearly 175 aircraft.

Obviously its high tax policies that discourage people from traveling or lack of middle class.

And our rulers now launching Air Punjab and Air Karachi, to join the five other mediocre airlines.

Whatever it is should change, because countries that until 30 years ago were just starting out are now leaps and bounds ahead of Pakistan.
P.I.A

God's International Airline
MRT
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Posts: 8
Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2025 7:24 pm

Re: Poor Performance of Pakistani Aviation Sector

Post by MRT »

Hopefully will change after the airline is privatized, not sure really
amerali
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Posts: 59
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2005 12:58 pm

Re: Poor Performance of Pakistani Aviation Sector

Post by amerali »

“Vietnam GDP is almost equal to Pakistan GDP. “

???

According to worldeconomics.com

Pakistan: Approximately $346 billion USD
Vietnam: Approximately $476 billion USD


Vietnam's GDP is $130 billion higher than Pakistan's in 2024. Almost 37 procent…
HassanKhan
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Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2025 10:41 am

Re: Poor Performance of Pakistani Aviation Sector

Post by HassanKhan »

Amaad Lone wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 9:06 am Vietjet of Vietnam has just ordered 150 A321-Neos. They are currently operating 100 aircraft already.

Other than Vietjet the flag carrier Vietam Airlines operates 78 aircraft including A350s and 787s.

This is a country with 100 million people, and an area that is slightly smaller than the size of Punjab and Sindh combined.

Vietnam GDP is almost equal to Pakistan GDP.

So why is our aviation sector in such poor condition.

20 aircraft for PIA
12 aircraft for Air Blue
6 aircraft for Fly Jinnah
7 aircraft for Air Sial
3 aircraft for Serene Air.

48 aircraft for a country of 250 million with an official GDP of 450 billion dollars, while Vietnam that until 35 years ago operated a handful of Russian planes now boasts a fleet of nearly 175 aircraft.

Obviously its high tax policies that discourage people from traveling or lack of middle class.

And our rulers now launching Air Punjab and Air Karachi, to join the five other mediocre airlines.

Whatever it is should change, because countries that until 30 years ago were just starting out are now leaps and bounds ahead of Pakistan.
Completely agree with you but their are a couple things I’d like to point out,

- Vietnam and Pakistans GDP being similar doesn’t mean that their citizens ability to purchase air tickets are the same. A better way to compare that would be by using Purchasing Power Parity which takes into account cost of living and population. Vietnams PPP is $11,396.5 which is significantly more than Pakistans $6037. (Pakistans number is from 2023 and their has been a significant drop in our PPP ever since so the difference would be even greater) This means that Vietnamese people can afford to travel more often.

- Air Karachi is a private airline and more competition won’t do any harm to us consumers. A case could be made that Air Punjab is a waste of tax payer money as we have a national airline already but I am not here to argue that :!: (I just thought it necessary to mention it as to not create contradiction in my points.)
Usman123
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Posts: 331
Joined: Sun Sep 05, 2021 12:35 pm

Re: Poor Performance of Pakistani Aviation Sector

Post by Usman123 »

Amaad Lone wrote: Wed Jun 18, 2025 9:06 am Vietjet of Vietnam has just ordered 150 A321-Neos. They are currently operating 100 aircraft already.

Other than Vietjet the flag carrier Vietam Airlines operates 78 aircraft including A350s and 787s.

This is a country with 100 million people, and an area that is slightly smaller than the size of Punjab and Sindh combined.

Vietnam GDP is almost equal to Pakistan GDP.

So why is our aviation sector in such poor condition.

20 aircraft for PIA
12 aircraft for Air Blue
6 aircraft for Fly Jinnah
7 aircraft for Air Sial
3 aircraft for Serene Air.

48 aircraft for a country of 250 million with an official GDP of 450 billion dollars, while Vietnam that until 35 years ago operated a handful of Russian planes now boasts a fleet of nearly 175 aircraft.

Obviously its high tax policies that discourage people from traveling or lack of middle class.

And our rulers now launching Air Punjab and Air Karachi, to join the five other mediocre airlines.

Whatever it is should change, because countries that until 30 years ago were just starting out are now leaps and bounds ahead of Pakistan.
The numbers are there but they are being swayed by ME3, PIA needs newer efficient aircraft then direct flights at competitive rates can easily beat ME3.

As delivery slots till 2030 are booked
New ownership should instantly order

14-18 widebodies A350/A330 Neo
40-50 narrow bodies A320/A321 Neos

To fill the capacity in 2030s and beyond
Till then leasing is the option to go with
Keeps & lease 777s till 2030s then shift completely to all Airbus fleet