KARACHI: Chief Executive Officer Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Air Marshal Arshad Mahmood Malik has announced that a Memorandum of Understanding with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) will be signed by next Monday for setting up a PIA office at KCCI’s premises which would provide extra services and facilities to the business community.
During his visit of KCCI, Malik said PIA had the potential to grow but unfortunately due to poor policies and management style, the issues being faced by the airline were largely ignored during the last 10 to 12 years, which resulted in overstaffing and excessive liabilities.
“Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured that whatever is recommended by PIA will be prioritized in the lager interest of the country which has never happened before while during a Cabinet Meeting, the Prime Minister also categorically stated that any individual found in interfering in PIA’s affairs will be facing strict action”, he added.
Referring to PIA’s cargo operation, he said that only 20 percent of the available capacity was being airlifted which has now been improved to 80 percent because of business community’s cooperation. “The airline needs support and we will drop our cargo rates as compared to the market rates if people choose to avail PIA’s cargo facility”, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman BMG & Former President KCCI Siraj Kassam Teli underscored that PIA must enhance the number of aircrafts and destinations, particularly its direct flights to Canada, London, New York and Beijing etc. with all the required facilities in order to facilitate the frequent travelers and members of the business & industrial community which would surely improve the revenue of the national flag carrier.