PIA to acquire three new wide-body aircraft next year!!

[London Flyer]

I thought aircraft type could not be specified under PPRA rules. Has that changed?

[gooner]

The way things are moving forward in Pakistan ( politically) I don't see this happening.

Agreed. Current federal govt won't be here to oversee this and the next elected govt will probably scrap everything. What PIA needs is a proper plan to phase out their ageing fleet. Randomly adding 3 aircrafts while have no plan for the existing one's will get PIA nowhere.

[Abbas Ali]

PIA inducting three Airbus A330 aircraft in year 2023 under airline's Business Plan prepared by IATA.

Abbas

[Amaad Lone]

I hope its A330-900 neo. Get brand-new planes from a leasing company

[inducedrag]

Can 777 pilots fly 787? If yes then its the better option will require minimum training

A330 Neo is very economical and most of the have flown A320

[Abbas Ali]

PIA intends to acquire up to eight Airbus A330 aircraft on lease, Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique informed National Assembly on August 10.

These aircraft will be acquired under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules/regulations.

Abbas

[Amaad Lone]

These aircraft will be acquired under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules/regulations.

Does this mean the cheapest option??? But PIA can specify, if it wants the A330-neo or can specify not older than 6-7 years.

Lots of ex Aeroflot planes being moved around. Turkish just got a bunch of A350s.

8 A330s probably means Europe re-opening and more routes in the Far East, plus UK.

North America PIA will stick to the 777.

[Usman123]

They can only afford these planes if Usa, Uk and Aus routes are opened
These will be very high in cost in terms of lease, maintenance, spares, crew training and not to forget painting the planes aswell unlike the new A320s

Last time I remember they leased 1 A330 for pia premier and got into loss of billions of rupees

[Abbas Ali]

PIA is aiming to resume flights to destinations in USA, UK and Europe, the Aviation Minister told the National Assembly.

These aircraft will be acquired under Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules/regulations.

Does this mean the cheapest option??? But PIA can specify, if it wants the A330-neo or can specify not older than 6-7 years.

The Aviation Minister in a recent statement said that PIA will not accept old/crappy aircraft. Tender will be prepared to receive best possible available aircraft offers within PPRA rules/regulations, he said. And yes, most likely specifications/requirements like airframe age, passenger cabin seats, IFE system etc. will be mentioned in bidding document to get younger aircraft with modern passenger cabin facilities.

In recent years, PIA has been able to pick Airbus A320s with CFM engines through a number of bids invitations under PPRA rules/regulations. For the sake of fleet standardization/rationalization, PIA did not pick A320s with IAE engines or Boeing 737s after the induction of first set of Airbus A320s with CFM engines on dry lease in year 2014.

I think in similar way, PIA will pick newer Airbus A330s through bidding process. Maybe, Airbus A330 has been recommended in airline's business plan or by airline's fleet planners. Probably induction of first three A330s in year 2023 with gradual increase in A330 fleet to 8 aircraft in coming years.

Abbas

[ammad]

A330 with Newer engine option or NEO, are very decent Aircraft series, but the problem is that Can PIA manage to add new Aircraft type to the fleet?

Adding new type is not simple, it requires, line maintenance changes, procuring parts for the newer type, interchangeability of parts with existing fleet won't work for engine assemblies and for sub assemblies, crew training for new type, procuring simulator etc.

Hope PIA did the home work before jumping to buy A330 specifically.