Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is set to expand its fleet by adding eight new aircraft next year, according to the airline’s CEO, Khurram Mushtaq. The announcement was made during a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Aviation, held at Islamabad International Airport.
PIA’s Fleet Expansion Plans
The new additions to the fleet will include wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft, which will be deployed on long-haul routes. Mushtaq also revealed that the ban on PIA flights to Europe, which had been in place for four years, had been lifted. PIA will resume its European operations with a flight to Paris on January 10, 2025, offering two flights per week on this route. The airline’s collaboration with Air France will also help facilitate travel to other European destinations.
Improvements in Service Quality
Responding to complaints about the quality of food on PIA flights, the CEO assured the committee that improvements had already been made. Additionally, he announced the launch of daily flights between Karachi and Sukkur starting Wednesday. He also noted that motorway developments had reduced the number of domestic flight passengers.
Airport Development and Ongoing Projects
The meeting also addressed airport development issues, with Pakistan Airports Authority’s Director General providing updates on the progress of airport upgrades. Runway enhancements at Lahore and Quetta airports were highlighted, along with improvements in parking and transportation at Quetta Airport. However, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with ongoing projects and formed a sub-committee to assess their progress.
Harassment Allegation Inquiry
The committee also discussed a harassment allegation involving a PIA official in Dubai. While the initial inquiry cleared the PIA employee, the committee has directed the airline to submit a detailed report for further review.
