Last resort?: Improve services or face privatisation, minister tells PIA

[Awesome]

Lots of people will get fired when it is privatized... 10 years later People's party government will come and give all of them their salaries from now till then.

 

[Jango]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, I wish what you say is true. In fact it is not due to the planes being dirty or torn, I have never seen a PIA in that kind of condition and I have flown in PIA 737 (internal), 747s and 777s, none of them were dirty or had torn seats, one was a bit dirty possibly due to a quick turn around. However, there are several documented cases when PIA was denied access into Europe and Saudi for failing to meet the minimum standards for aviation safety and maintenance.

Those restrictions were due to pilot flying hours and other stuff like that...the only plane which was deemed unsafe was the Boeing 747.

And BTW, the Bhoja and AirBlue crashes were both due to pilot error and weather, not aircraft problems.

 

[xyxmt]

Yeh saray BC.

Pakistan ko Zia Ul Haq Chah ye.

Musharraf chah ye.

Until these rat bastard liberals run around Pakistan, we are doomed.

Boht shokh se boltaay hain, ki humay democracy chay he.

Magar jab in haramzaado ki peeche se paat thi hain, pir inki aasliat samnay aa thi hain.

maybe hamain sub kutch jo tum ne kaha chaey, lakin hamain tum jasi bewaqoof public nehe chaey, there must be some kind of ultra sound that should warn us before hand, before its too late and we have one more

 

[RazPaK]

maybe hamain sub kutch jo tum ne kaha chaey, lakin hamain tum jasi bewaqoof public nehe chaey, there must be some kind of ultra sound that should warn us before hand, before its too late and we have one more

Kaka zaban sumbal kay rak.

 

[Pulsar]

Hmmm...I thought he was talking about Air India which is even worse!!

 

[PakPrinciples]

Whenever me or my family want to fly to Pakistan we always want to take PIA even if it might be a bit costlier.

There were some occasions we had to choose alternate airlines since they offered an earlier flight and the need to visit Pakistan was urgent (i.e. family emergency).

Generally government control of industry and the economy is a good thing but that all depends on how competent the government running things is because that determines who they hire to manage the states assets.

If the airlines is privatized they must not allow foreign ownership (most of the time this leads to whatever business being dismantled and sold in pieces in order to empower foreign competition which would have a detrimental effect on Pakistan). I personally would not like to see the airline privatized instead there needs to be a comprehensive study on why the airline is loosing money and what steps can be taken to correct it (this will probably involve hiring a reputable consulting firm to look over the business - I heard McKinsey and Company were opening up in Pakistan and they are considered one of the worlds top consulting firms).
http://www.mckinsey.com/client_service/travel_transport_and_logistics/expertise/air_transportation_and_travel

Admittedly there have been a lot of changes since the ouster of Musharraf such as increases in fuel prices, the economic downturn and increased competition which contribute to PIAs problems.

There was an article from back in 2012 that showed PIA did make a profit:
PIA achieves operating profit of Rs 738 million, eyes a newer fleet | Pakistan Today | Latest news | Breaking news | Pakistan News | World news | Business | Sport and Multimedia

 

[Edevelop]

ECC starts discussing PIA privatisation

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet has been proposed to privatise 25% to 30% shares along with handing over of management control to a strategic investor of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC), official sources said.

The ECC on Friday started deliberations on a business plan of PIAC, which includes the proposal to privatise PIAC to a strategic investor, sources added.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the meeting of ECC, which decided to release Rs 7 billion to PIA to help it make payments to its vendors. It was also decided that a comprehensive briefing on PIA would be made to ECC during its next meeting.

The turnaround strategy proposed to ECC suggested that “only option” available with the government is to induct at least 10 fuel-efficient Boeing 737 and A320 series aircraft in the national carrier fleet to improve it earnings. The proposal called for acquiring these aircraft on dry lease.

The proposal also maintains that the existing 777 aircraft fleet be used for long destinations like United States and Canada as their use for shorter routes is a loss making venture.

“The strategy also includes a proposal of selling 25% to 30% shares along with handing over management control of PIAC to a strategic investor in order to ensure better governance in the corporation,” sources said. They added a comprehensive briefing was also given to the participants of the meeting about the current state of affairs of PIA.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi, Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Senator Pervez Rashid, Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Bosan, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khakan Abbasi, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid, the adviser to prime minister on aviation, secretaries of various divisions and heads of different departments.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Awesome]

Yeh saray BC.

Pakistan ko Zia Ul Haq Chah ye.

Musharraf chah ye.

Until these rat bastard liberals run around Pakistan, we are doomed.

Boht shokh se boltaay hain, ki humay democracy chay he.

Magar jab in haramzaado ki peeche se paat thi hain, pir inki aasliat samnay aa thi hain.

Most liberals don't want democracy, they are happy with Musharraf type dictators. Liberals are the parhay likhay sophisticated log - and rest of the kaum is unparh and backward. Why would liberals want democracy and make themselves equal to the rest of the overwhelming majority.

 

[RazPaK]

Most liberals don't want democracy, they are happy with Musharraf type dictators. Liberals are the parhay likhay sophisticated log - and rest of the kaum is unparh and backward. Why would liberals want democracy and make themselves equal to the rest of the overwhelming majority.

We are at a point where we cannot blame the dynamics of our politics to past dictators or past/current elected leaders.


You see it here yourself, Asim. You guys open a channel for army bashers, ect to voice their opinions. I commened PDF for allowing these rats to voice their opinions. On the other hand, they tarnish our country, our army, our culture, and our religion, all in the guise of 'betterment', 'progressiveness', and 'evolution'.

<offensive language removed>

We got certain members here that just bash Islam, and label anything they are ignorant of as Islamist views, or Islamist propaganda.

That is pure BS.

PDF is defense website. True. But PDF is also the website where people should bridge the gap, and realize new connections. Asim, whether you are a Shia, Ahmadi, Sikh or a Hindu, we all share the same thing. Love for our country. Let's not let these losers living in their parent's basements' try to divide our country, anymore than we are already divided. We as Pakistanis, no matter what race, religion, or background all share the same wish.

 

[Liquidmetal]

Those restrictions were due to pilot flying hours and other stuff like that...the only plane which was deemed unsafe was the Boeing 747.

And BTW, the Bhoja and AirBlue crashes were both due to pilot error and weather, not aircraft problems.

Sorry buddy, but have a look at this article:

EASA withdraws Pakistan International Airlines maintenance approval

I wish it was not so but PIA was banned twice by EU for safety and airworthiness of its aircraft.

I was going to suggest PIA invest in Dreakmliners to overcome issues with efficiency and lower operating costs but strike that until Boeing get their sh*t together on the viability of their concepts. The recent fires on ANA and now Ethopian jets is the reason. PIA must obtain the A380 - with 800 seats the cost per seat can come down drastically and flyers are very price sensitive. PIA tends to be expensive.

To come back on track PIA needs new aircraft, new safety 1st culture, with investments in the latest certification, training and equipment.

However my experience of PIA as a service has been good. The only negative other than dirty aisles.seats was the food - not bad in taste but just not very good either and it is the same meal every time - rice spinach curry!!. Oh and on one flight my entertainment unit was not working!! But then I flew saudi and theirs was not working either!! (but good in flight service),

In Lahore I went to the main PIA office and after waiting about an 1 hour my ticket number came up. The service by the officer was exemplary, he did everything and then to make sure there were no issues he even gave his direct line so that I did not have to wait so long. So there are a lot of positives about PIA - just need to gel all those into a 21st century package of safety, efficiency, marketing and sales and service. Simple really.

 

[Jango]

I was going to suggest PIA invest in Dreakmliners to overcome issues with efficiency and lower operating costs but strike that until Boeing get their sh*t together on the viability of their concepts. The recent fires on ANA and now Ethopian jets is the reason. PIA must obtain the A380 - with 800 seats the cost per seat can come down drastically and flyers are very price sensitive. PIA tends to be expensive.

Can't call the verdict on the 787 this early. The Ethiopian fire doesn't seem to be battery related, the rumors going around are that it was due to some overheating in the galley oven. But let's see what happens with that.

As for the A380, that is a no no. Currently the PIA vision isn't for the long haul route with 800 pax, it is for the smaller routes. PIA is looking for 737NG's or A321's...the long haul is currently done by 777 and the PIA management deems them enough for their long haul ventures. And rightly so IMO. First focus on the regional market, get back the pax share from the mideast airlines, then go for the long haul with more 777's and possibly a A380. Although an A380 is 10 years down the line even if all goes to plan.

Only Emirates has the guts to deploy A380 on the shorter routes...no one else does it.

 

[DGMO]

The airline is doomed.

No suggestions appear to have been put forward to fix the overriding issue - a bloated and unsustainable workforce.

"The average age of PIA aircraft is 16 years while total number of its employees stands at about 18,800. The aircraft-to-employee ratio currently stands at 552 compared to global average ratio of 120, suggesting that the staff strength is abnormally high"​

Dawn Newspaper

The average fleet age of 16 years is also a huge worry, and does cast doubts over safety. It's why the EU banned PIA, and has threatened it once more - primarily over its ageing fleet and safety issues.

So you're up against it, especially when you consider how the Gulf-based competition are stacked:

• Emirates - 6 years old
• Gulf Air - 5 years old
• Qatar - 5.1 years old
• Etihad - 4.9 years old

Reducing the workforce, which in turn will help streamline operations, and drive efficiency and profits is the way forward. Given many of these are political appointments, there doesn't seem to be the political will. Pretty much like addressing taxation seriously.

Therefore, all will not end well.

 

[Amaa'n]

Lots of people will get fired when it is privatized... 10 years later People's party government will come and give all of them their salaries from now till then.

And they get their jobs back, is this not what they did recently with fia, fbr, fde and IB.....

 

[Amaa'n]

Get rid of the incometent lazy staff, form a new management team filled with passion, leadership traits and the management experience, half of the problems will be resolved. No need to call people half way around the world, you will get people with said traits with in pakistan

 

[third eye]

From the title is appears that Privatisation is being made to look like a threat.

Which is wrong.