PIA to introduce two more flights each for China and Japan

[Abbas Ali]

PIA to become profit earning organisation by December: Chairman PIA

Tuesday, 16 January 2007

ISLAMABAD, Jan 16 (APP): Chairman PIA Tariq Kirmani on Tuesday expressed resolve to make the organisation profit earning by end of this year.

In an exclusive talk with APP, the PIA Chairman said, recent decline of petroleum prices in international market would amply help them achieve profit earning for the organisation which has been facing fiscal depression for the last over half a decade.

He said there is no immediate plan of PIA to reduce fares but this aspect could be considered at a later stage if the prices show further decline.

He said the existing aging fleet with more fuel consumptions was one of the major reason for incurring losses to the airline which was much added due to escalation in oil prices. However, he said seven Boeing 777 aircraft besides three ATR type aircraft would prove to be better addition due to these being fuel efficient and cost effective. He said in February the eighth aircraft of Boeing 777 type would be added to PIA fleet. In March, he said PIA would receive three more ATR aircraft.

Terming the last couple of years as tough period for the airline, he said “it is over, and now we will concentrate on profit earning and provision of more facilities to the passengers.”

Giving details that how PIA would achieve profits, he elaborated two pronged approach - financial and operational restructuring - the PIA had adopted soon after he took over as chairman. “This will help us to achieve the set goals,” he maintained.

The PIA chairman said the government has agreed to provide guarantees to seek loans from various financial institutions for starting new projects and ensuring profit for the organisation.

Answering a question, he said, instead of opening new in-land as well as abroad destinations, “we will restrengthen our existing operations at both levels.”

He said by March this year two more flights each for China and Japan would be added to the existing flights besides increasing number of flights for domestic destinations.

By end of February, he said e-ticketing project at domestic level would be completed while at global level the project would be finalised by end of June.

Earlier, he inaugurated the newly renovated District Management floor of PIA office in Islamabad and appreciated the personal keen interest taken by District Manager PIA Islamabad Major Khurram Mushtaq.

Speaking on the occasion, he urged the PIA employees to work harder in line to compete with the international market.

“The targets are high but not hard to achieve and this could be done with hard work and dedication,” he added.

Source: Associated Press of Pakistan

[behramjee]

He said by March this year two more flights each for China and Japan would be added to the existing flights besides increasing number of flights for domestic destinations.

For Japan, we know its the new 2 weekly KHI-BKK-MNK-NRT A 310 flight.

But for China, could this be the highly anticipated KHI-PVG (Shanghai)-LAX new route?

can someone on the inside shed more light into this China statement of TK...thanks

[PK773ER]

there was some news abt round the world flight long time ago any news on that?