PIA Invites Bids to Acquire Up To Five Wide-body Aircraft on Dry Lease

[Abbas Ali]

Bids invitation in August 31 newspaper:

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) invites bids for dry lease of up to five wide-body aircraft:

Number of Aircraft: Up to five (5)
Seating Configuration: Around 250 to 320 seats in two class
Delivery Schedule: During 2023
Vintage: 2016 and onwards
Lease Period: 6 years or corresponding to first major check as per MPD whichever is later
In-flight entertainment: In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) enabled & In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) with seat back screens

Last day to submit bids is October 3, 2022.



Abbas

[Amaad Lone]

I think PIA should opt for the A350-900.

The 330 seater would be perfect for any future flights to New York, Toronto Chicago, Washington DC and Houston.

same aircraft would serve all of UK flights also.

A350 has the range for North America and perfect capacity for UK.

A330-900 neo is great for UK and Europe and but not for North America.

PIA should standardize fleet to one type.

[Usman123]

10-15 A330s can be the future wide body fleet after 777s retirement

[raihans]

Although it is announced earlier that PIA will induct A330s by aviation minister, so this tender is just a formality for PPRA rules

[t-rehman]

I hope they won't go for A330 CEO

[speedbird london]

Let’s get the permission to fly into airspace’s first

[GEnx]

Aircraft selection at this stage will decide the future B777 replacement. If PIA intends to replace B777s, then it should have an aircraft type capable of performing flights to EU, US/Canada (Long range) and KSA (high capacity). B787s / A350s would be good. But, PIA can also consider A330neo. The aircraft has lower MTOW variants for regional routes, as well as 251 ton variant for long haul. By doing this, PIA can have a variety of A330neos at different weights according to operational needs. While the aircraft would be same. In case of PIAs 777s, the engines for B777-200ER and B777-300ER/200LR are different. Which means they cannot be swaped. Going for a common aircraft type would greatly help. Furthermore, instead of Replacing all B777s by widebody aircraft, some should be replaced by A321neo LR or XLR variants which can fly up to UK as well as EU, Tokyo, Kuala Lampur etc.

[baberblues]

I dont think there is any need or much in seat back IFE. If they can get wifi in working order, it would be easier and more convenient to stream on personal devices.

[ammad]

B-787 fits the description too, If they have money they should go for 6 years old 787. This is will increase morale and confidence every where!

[gooner]

The dreamliner is the best option for PIA. Fuel efficient aircraft with the ability to cover long haul flights as well. Not to mention the conversion for 777 crew to the dreamliner is cost effective and much simpler.

[Amaad Lone]

The dreamliner is the best option for PIA. Fuel efficient aircraft with the ability to cover long haul flights as well. Not to mention the conversion for 777 crew to the dreamliner is cost effective and much simpler.

B-787 fits the description too, If they have money they should go for 6 years old 787. This is will increase morale and confidence every where!

The seat configuration of the 787 is not popular with the public. It was designed as 2-4-2 like ANA and Japan Airlines is using their planes, but then Boeing made it 3-3-3 which made the seating very un-comfortable that is why when you read online reviews for the 787 they are very bad.

Both 787-900 and A330-neo are very good planes, and perfect for routes up to UK, Europe and Far East.

For future North American routes PIA needs the A350-900.

But knowing PIA they will probably go for A330-300 (CEO).

It does not matter what planes PIA gets because unless they can reduce their debt, this airline will always remain in loss.

PIA first 6 month 2022 losses were 43 billion rupees, 75% of this will be exchange rate losses as rupee fell from 178 to 220 and 20 billion rupees in interest payments.

PIA in hopeless situation.

[ammad]

PIA hopeless situation and rupee related losses can only be arrested once they start earning in foreign currencies. For this, they have option of USA, Canada, KSA, and may be Australia.

From the above list,

• USA is not viable because of bunch of extra security related demands causing losses to PIA [extra stop over], and very low yielding or loss making JFK route.

• KSA is doing good. PIA needs to make sure that all of the Omara and other KSA related travel business should stay with PIA or with SV, but not with any other Airline, since both of them have direct flight advantage

• Canada is so far pretty reasonable, never put the ban unlike what EU did. PIA needs to see if she can add one more flight to YYZ from KHI, or from LHE.

• UK, This is the route/country PIA should focus on. Earning in UK pounds can fix PIA 50% finance related losses/issues [Operating]. Hope with the new British PM and new cabinet this issue could fix with in a month or two.

• Australia. PIA should try adding 2X flight only from one specific city of Pakistan. i.e. LHE or from ISB, but not from both simultaneously. Though last working experience with Australian authorities was salty as they cancel the flight at the last moment owing to the security reasons.

[Amaad Lone]

Hainan Airlines of China has six A330-343Es stored for the past year.

These planes are 2018-19 built and perfect for re-starting PIA flights to Europe, UK and even Far East.

Two class layout with 32 seats (1-2-1) in club class and 260 seats in economy (2-4-2)

Grounded since end of 2021 PIA might be able to get decent lease terms from Hainan.

Worth looking into it.

[MikeTangoKiloAlpha]

SAS had filed for bankruptcy and has put up to 5 wide-body aircraft:

The airline is also looking to shed two Airbus A350-900s, despite it being the only aircraft type that's relatively new to the fleet. The two Airbus A350s have been identified as MSN378 holding the registration SE-RSB and MSN391 with the registration of SE-RSC. Both aircraft were delivered to the SAS in 2020.

The remaining three widebodies to be rejected are Airbus A330-300s, starting with MSN1665, registered LN-RKS and delivered in 2015. There are also MSN1697 and 1715, both were delivered in 2016

Source:
https://simpleflying.com/sas-return-10- ... ructuring/

[Amaad Lone]

SAS had filed for bankruptcy and has put up to 5 wide-body aircraft:

With a limited requirement of 5 planes, why introduce two types.

PIA needs 4 planes for around 20 flights to UK and 2 planes for around 10 flights to Europe.

For future North American flights PIA should give cabin upgrades to its 777-200LRs and three 777-300ERs.

For Saudi flights the remaining 200ERs should be converted to all economy.