Reforms in PIA unavoidable: PM’s adviser

ISLAMABAD: Adviser to the Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mahtab Ahmed Khan reviewed Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) performance at the Aviation Division on Tuesday, and declared different reforms as unavoidable steps.

He lauded the recent initiatives for increased presence in the digital world, including on board activities for customer engagements, and the performance of the brand management department of Pakistan International Airlines. He said advancement in technology was a dire need of the time.

Appreciating the efforts of the management, Sardar Mahtab recognised the fact that V1 programme was on track, and asserted that PIA was recapturing its position and would sustain its desired status.

“Soon we are going to meet this milestone with the help of the efficient officers and staff,” the advisor said, and emphasised that dedication and hard work of each employee would contribute towards a turnaround in PIA’s situation.

A briefing was given regarding the performance of each department, including the engineering department’s rollout of seven 777 and four Airbus 320 aircrafts with new and refurbished interior, corporate planning, procurement and logistic, passenger handling services, flight operation, food services division, corporate development, and finance department.

The meeting was also told that commercial departments’ targets and sales figures were set high.

Different gaps in technology sector and rooms for improvements in Pakistan International Airlines were also identified and it was decided to extend support to various sectors in general and technology in particular to ensure international standards.

PIA CEO Musharraf Rasool said strict timelines have been set so the passengers of PIA could enjoy the facilities that the best airlines of the world were offering.

Aviation Secretary and Pakistan International Airlineschairman Irfan Ilahi along with other heads of all the departments in PIA and other relevant officials of the Aviation Division also attended the meeting.