teggy

What in your opinion are some of the things which must be done for PIA to improve its image, as well as sustain itself as a profitable airline while expanding to more destinations?

The plight for PIA has been that it has periodically shut down locations which could be thriving markets, if managing and advertising is done properly. Namely Chicago, Houston/Dallas, Los Angeles/SFO. These markets host a good number of Pakistanis who would prefer to fly nonstop rather than take connections.

What are your suggestions?

Here's what i propose:

-PIA has to reduce its "sponsored" staff and hire on merit and requirements. Bureaucracy should not be allowed to meddle in the management of the Airline.

-Do inter-audit, and narrow it down the core causes for PIA's recent demise and deficit. And then work to resolve those shortcomings without being shy about them. Name names, point fingers, and shrink/retire personnel if it comes to that.

-Bring all current aircrafts to International standards and operate them all, utilize the full potential of available machinery and let it earn its keep. If it's inoperable, sell it/lease it, if it sits it's costing money hence negative equity.

-Introduce fares that are attractive and lure potential consumers.

-Improve inter-cabin service (although i must say, PIA is doing quite well on this front and their service is excellent for the fare paid minus the few exceptions where customers have a bad experience.)

-Discipline (This is like #1 factor for success. Maintain and keep to schedule, come rain or shine. You get the point...)

-Retire/sell, and obtain new aircrafts to replace the old aging Jumbo Combies, and 737s with the new ones.

coOoLBreeze

Teggy nice thread.... PIA sure does need a revival... you have pointed out various good points. I really dont see the reason, why PIA does not fly to Chicago or Houston. These could be amazing routes for PIA. on the other hand, PIA is flying its B777 on Khi/Lhr-DXB routes, which to me is a waste of B777.. PIA needs to get more and more of new B737 or A320 for Short haul route of Middle East and SL,India, Maldives and even Bangladesh..

PIA is the only airline which does not fly to its closest neighbours, i.e. India, Iran and Sri Lanka. Amazing isnt it.

TeenDabbyWala

Just a thought about their international routes. I am going to take a guess (a good one) that a huge portion of their routes are to Gulf countries transporting expat workers from Pakistan. Since these airfares are paid by the employers, travelers have no room to complain about the service, they are thankful enough to have their fair paid. So, PIA has no reason to improve their service for this route.

teggy

^That maybe true. But, the larger percentage of PIA pax are paying ones. (i.e. "wiling passenger" vs. "forced ones" )

PIA hasn't always been in shambles, it was once a glorious airline that was a symbol of pride for the nation. We just want to have it return to the glamour and once again become the symbol of pride for expats who travel on it, or those who just see it as a good alternative to their "regular" carrier when traveling eastward.

coOoLBreeze

sirkaar.... PIA wont return to its glory days, until nepotism is there in the ranks... if you will visit PIA hub at Karachi, you will notice a lot of junk at all positions from top to bottom.... ( you know what I mean). PIA has one of the highest Employee per Aircraft ratio in the world. cause lot and lot of incompetent ppl are hired based on their ethnicity and political positions. else, we Pakistanis are more than capable of bringing it back to glory. PIA made Emirates what Emirates is at this moment. PIA helped many other airlines to grow..

The other reason is wrong use of the aircrafts by our govt officials.... Musharaf times were famous of that....influential non-revenue passengers are always preferred over revenue passengers in PIA. this needs to stop.

teggy

You're absolutely right, friend. Nepotism and "sponsored" employment has drowned the airline along with VVIP treatment and attitude of our politicians. It's not even about politicians, it's about "i know someone who knows someone who is MPA, so i can get a free seat on a flight"...it's ridiculous.

lil_ash

I traveled on pia from chicago long time ago . I heard they cancelled all flights from chicago because the airport or transport system or something did not approve of the old planes and its safety issues. But in my opinion, PIA needs to start hiring normal flight attendants, not the stuck up white colored red lipstick, full of theirself kind. O boy did I have an experience with those. o and they need to have something to keep the kids hush lolzz maybe cartoons, toys, or coloring boxes

teggy

^Your experience with flight attendants is believable because many others complain of the same too. The Aircrafts and their safety however is misinfomation, because the only planes that operated to Chicago/Houston were the new 777-ERs. And they're absolutely flawless.

Even right now much of Europe and JFK is served with 777s.

coOoLBreeze

^^ Prior to that, PIA was serving Europe and US with the aging B747s which are now being operated between KHI/ISB/LHE and Jeddah mainly.. Else, those aircrafts are a big waste now..


Also PIA has a very small number of B777, I believe only 8, out of which one got seriously damaged few months in Italy somewhere cause of a hail storm... So PIA capability is very limited for long routes..

see this for last years accident, http://www.historyofpia.com/forums/v...ic.php?t=11764

and btw another happened just two weeks before at same Airport MILAN http://www.historyofpia.com/forums/v...2473fb81096763