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PIA's
first Boeing 720-040B, AP-AMG, photographed during pre-delivery
test flight in December 1961. AP-AMG was delivered to PIA on
December 21, 1961 and introduced on
Dacca-Karachi-Tehran-Geneva-Frankfurt-London route in February
1962. Incidentally, AP-AMG on its delivery flight to Karachi on
January 2, 1962, piloted by PIA's ace Captain Abdullah Baig,
broke the world record for the London-Karachi non-stop flight
time. With representatives of FAI (Federation Aeronautique
International) on board to monitor the official timings, AP-AMG
completed the flight in 6 hours 43 minutes and 55 seconds, the
record which to this day remains unbroken!! This achievement
symbolized the fledgling Pakistani airline's fighting spirit and
urge to reach the top. PIA operated AP-AMG until 1974 when it
was leased (later sold) to Air Malta as 9H-AAM. The island
airline continued flying B720s until 1989, but this particular
aircraft (AP-AMG) was retired in 1981 and later used for fire
practice at Luqa Airport, Malta |
