ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Spokesman Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Friday has clarified that the impression being given by a segment of media about PIA Premier is incorrect.
The brand new A-330 which PIA acquired in August this year for starting PIA premier, was obtained in a transparent manner, strictly in accordance with PPRA rules, on market price and has played an important role in PIA’s regaining passenger confidence and in improving its brand image.
The spokesman explained that this is a new service and like any new business venture it will take time to become profitable.
PIA Premier has also played a key role in PIA’s regaining its market share both internationally as well as domestically which increased by 22% on domestic flights and 3% on international sectors during the current year.
The very fact that in 2016 one million additional passengers traveled on PIA as compared to the previous year amply proves it.
“We have received excellent feedback on all aspects of service of PIA Premier.”
Obtaining the new aircraft on wet lease was a compulsion for PIA due to lack of trained pilots and crew.
With the passage of time, as our own personnel gets trained this plane would be converted to dry lease and more similar aircraft would also be acquired on dry lease.
A-330 is a commercially successful wide body aircraft operated by various five-star and four-star airlines including Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa.
