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PIA Province Tails Livery
Text Source:
PIA
Pakistan is nourished by the
Indus that originates in the Himalayas and flows down into the Arabian Sea.
It is the home of one of the oldest Civilizations on earth, the Indus Valley
Civilization. From the north where six of the highest mountains ranges meet,
it flows down the beautiful valleys of the Frontier, across the rich plains
of the Punjab, skirting the mountainous Baluchistan, down the plains and
deserts of Sindh until it finally flows down into the Arabian sea. Rich in
culture and heritage, its motifs and colors have had a unique quality,
cherished by millions through the centuries. Pakistan archaeological finds,
one of the oldest in the world, is exemplified by Mehrgarh finds, some 9500
years old.
On March 14, 2006,
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag carrier, in its
effort to portray the rich heritage it inherits announced a partial change
in its livery, specifically aircraft tail, to reflect the colours and
artistic excellence of its four Provinces and proudly fly around the globe,
for one and all to reflect on its grandeur.
In so doing, it has chosen
some of the finest of motifs characteristic of the four Provinces comprising
Pakistan. Not only was this need for change qualified by the massive change
occurring in PIA as a whole, but also reinforced by the national flag
carrier’s desire to pool in its humble contribution in the integration of
the country as a whole. The result is a colourful tail of PIA airplanes,
which in itself is named after the most remarkable characteristic of each
province. All this is bonded by the retention of the National Flag
repositioned for more emphasis on the main body of the fuselage. PIA
aircraft will be done in this livery on the tail over approximately a two
year time span, before the entire fleet is completed. Let us take the
Provinces one by one and describe what each tail design represents for the
entire fleet of PIA aircraft.
Frontier Province
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Airbus
A310-308
(Copyright
©
Stephan Kruse) |
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This aircraft's tail depicts the motif of North West
Frontier Province |
Frontier:
Home of proud Pathans, the North West Frontier Province
stretches from the Khyber Pass in the north-west to the mighty
Karakorum Range in the north-east. The airplane's tail is
resplendent by the “Phulkari” (flowering) pattern that reflects
a rich and colorful tradition of embroidery generally done on
shawls, shirts and linen. Often bearing strong Greek influence
from the days of Ghandara civilization, these vibrant geometric
patterns and motifs, all in primary colors, reflect exquisite
detail and precision of craftsmanship. The tail of the airplane
bears witness to this design.
Punjab Province
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Boeing 747-367
(Copyright
©
Muhammad Ali) |
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This aircraft's tail depicts the motif of Punjab
Province |
Punjab:
As the land of the five rivers the
Province of Punjab in Pakistan offers a feast for the senses.
With its lush valleys and verdant plains the crafts of the
Punjab have a rich and vibrant tradition from the ‘royal’
craftsmanship of its urban centers to the village crafts of the
rural areas. The patterns and the motifs vary from floral
designs to figures of birds to majestic elephants. Its
historical buildings and gardens, its glasswork shimmering in
the Sheesh Mahal, the art of Punjab is best exemplified in the
exquisite tile decoration of the Wazir Khan Mosque in Lahore,
which is the design on the tail of the airplane.
Baluchistan Province
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ATR 42-500
(Copyright
©
Farrukh Bhati) |
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This aircraft's tail
depicts the
motif of Baluchistan Province |
Baluchistan: Pakistan’s Baluchistan
Province stretches from the coast of Makran in the west to the
mountain passes of Bolan and Gomal in the north. This is the
land of the thousand of years old Juniper Forests. The local
craftsmanship reflects the proud Baluch tribal tradition. A
striking and colorful reflection of robust creativity is seen in
the kilims, carpets and rugs woven with wool, goat or camel hair
and mixed yarn. The pattern is mostly bold geometric motifs in
primary colors dominated by red and making it strikingly
beautiful.
Sindh Province
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Boeing 777-340ER (Copyright
©
Matt Cawby) |
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This aircraft's
tail depicts the motif of Sindh Province |
Sindh:
Situated in the heart of the Indus Valley Civilization,
exemplified by the ruins Moen-jo-daro, the Sindh Province in
Southern Pakistan has an ancient and rich tradition of art and
crafts. Among them, Hala tile work is one of the most striking
representations of a craftsmanship that transforms clay into an
object of undying and pristine beauty. Exquisitely adorned with
electric blue and white floral pattern and motifs, the Hala
craft signifies a labour of love and a passion for perfection.
These floral patterns and motifs constitute the design of the
aircraft’s tail.
List of PIA Aircraft That Received
Province Tails Livery
Description/Key:
Regn. =
Registration
(tail number)
Type of Aircraft =
Exact type
of aircraft
Cn/Sn =
Construction
number/manufacturer's serial number
Mfd =
Year of manufacture
Delivery = Date
(d/m/y) of
aircraft delivery to PIA
City Name =
City name given to the aircraft
followed by a brief remark about that city
Tail Motif Key:
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North West Frontier Province motif |
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Punjab Province motif |
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Baluchistan Province motif |
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Sindh Province motif |
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