ROUTES - PIA Lahore to London Boeing 777 flight starting from March 30.

Flight schedule:

Route: Lahore to London
Flight Number: PK757

Day of Operation: Monday
Aircraft Type: Boeing 777
Departure from Lahore: 12:40 PM
Arrival in London: 5:00 PM
Flight Duration: 8 hours 20 minutes
Route: London to Lahore
Flight Number: PK758
Day of Operation: Sunday
Aircraft Type: Boeing 777
Departure from London: 7:05 PM
Arrival in Lahore: 7:05 AM
Flight Duration: 7 hours

 

FLLET - Pakistan International Airlines has 17 of its 34 aircraft grounded due to a shortage of parts. It includes seven B777s, seven A320s, and three ATRs.

Photo: PIA

Aviation Daily

PIA Pakistan issues widebody dry-lease RFP

 PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l) is seeking to dry lease up to three widebody twin jet aircraft manufactured not before 2014 and each seating at least 280 passengers. The lease period will be for two to four years with delivery due before June 2024.

The recently released invitation to bid documentation is asking for sealed bids on a single stage two envelope basis from interested aircraft owners, operators, and lessors. The airline is asking for technical and financial and proposals, with the latter only opened if the technical proposal meets PIA's specifications.

In December 2022, ch-aviation reported that PIA wanted to acquire up to 12 aircraft to build up its operating fleet to 40 planes, the so-called "magic number" according to aviation minister Khawaja Saad Rafique. The airline is also expected to reactivate both of its stored B777-300(ER)s by the end of January.

PIA will assess each bidder on their financial strength, technical capabilities and past performance in aircraft leasing, taking into account whether the bidder is currently the owner, directly or indirectly, of the aircraft being tendered, and other details deemed relevant by the airline.

The documentation notes that the governing law of the lease agreement will be mutually agreed on by both parties but shall not conflict with Pakistani law. Any disputes between the parties shall be resolved under International Chamber of Commerce - Amicable Dispute Resolution (ICC ADR) rules. The successful lessor shall invoice PIA each month at least ten days before the start of each rent period with the airline then paying the monthly lease rental in advance by the due date.

"(The) lessor shall agree that so long as no event of default under the lease agreement has occurred and is continuing, neither lessor nor any other party claiming through lessor, shall take or permit to be taken any action contrary to the PIA’s right to quiet enjoyment of, the continuing possession, use and operation of the aircraft during the lease period," the invitation to bid documentation reads.

According to ch-aviation fleets advanced data, PIA presently has 12 widebody aircraft comprising six B777-200(ER)s, two B777-200(LR)s, and four B777-300(ER)s. Aside from the pair of B777-300(ER)s now returning to service, only two B777-200(ER)s remain parked. The average age of PIA's widebody fleet is 16.97 years, with the youngest (a -300ER) 13.78 years old and the oldest (a -200ER) 19.01 years old. Only three of the widebody aircraft are leased. One is a B777-300(ER), AP-BMS (msn 36782), on lease from Macquarie AirFinance with a 2026 lease end date, while two B777-200(ER)s, AP-BMG (msn 32716) and AP-BMH (msn 32717) are leased from Peregrine Aviation with 2024 lease end dates.
Ch aviation
Bidders must submit their offers to PIA no later than 1500L (1000Z) on February 13, 2023. The opening and readout of the bids will follow at 1600L (1100Z) on the same day.

Pakistan's PIA to add widebodies

PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l) is planning to add widebody aircraft, which may include both A330 and B787 types in undisclosed variants.

"PIA would be looking at acquiring three wide body aircraft during the first quarter of 2023. The RFQ for that purpose will be floated within the next few weeks," spokesman Abdullah H. Khan told ch-aviation.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that PIA's widebody fleet comprises six B777-200(ER)s (17.5 years old on average), two B777-200(LR)s (17.3 years), and four B777-300(ER)s (14.7 years). The airline has an outstanding order for a further five B777-300(ER)s, which dates back to 2012, although it is highly questionable whether the aircraft will ever be taken up by PIA. The Pakistani flag carrier considered switching the B777 order to eight B787-9s in 2016. However, the order was never officially amended.

During a briefing with the carrier, Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq instructed PIA to refurbish the cabins of the two B777-200(LR)s, which currently operate mainly to Toronto Pearson.

The airline said it is also planning to add a further two A320-200s in August 2022 to increase the type's fleet to 16 units. Five will also undergo cabin refurbishment.

Besides the B777s and A320s, PIA's fleet also includes four ATR42-500s and a single ATR72-500. The airline is also chartering an A330-200 from Jordan Aviation (R5, Amman Queen Alia) to operate flights to the European Union as PIA's own Third Country Operator authorisation was revoked over pilot licencing irregularities.

ch aviation

Pakistan International Airlines 4Q20 leased A330 European network as of 16OCT20

Pakistan International Airlines in last week’s schedule update filed planned European operation with leased Airbus A330-300 aircraft from HiFly, effective from 25OCT20. Planned operation between 25OCT20 and 31DEC20, as of 16OCT20 as follows.

Islamabad – London Heathrow A330-300 operates every 2 weeks
Islamabad – Manchester A330-300 operates 1 weekly
Islamabad – Paris CDG A330-300 operates every 2 weeks

By Jim Liu

Pakistan Int'l Airlines eyes up to 16 SSJ 100/95s

PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Karachi Int'l) is considering adding between six and sixteen SSJ 100/95s as a part of an investment deal offered by the Russian government to Pakistan, Minister of Industry and Trade of Russia Denis Manturov told the media during a visit to the Asian country.



The Russian side has offered various options regarding the addition of the Sukhoi Civil Aircraft regional jets, ranging from purchase to dry- and even wet-lease. It is unclear who would be wet-leasing the aircraft to PIA in the last option.

The deal was a part of the largest-ever business agreement between Russia and Pakistan, wherein the Kremlin pledged billions of dollars worth of investment in the latter country.

The Russian government and Sukhoi are actively trying to find new foreign operators for the SSJ 100/95s.

Pakistan International Airlines launched weekly long-haul services to Europe from Sialkot (SKT) on 19 January, with the airline now linking the city to Paris CDG (CDG) and Barcelona

An analysis of Flightradar24.com data shows that the route will be performed by an Islamabad-based aircraft, operating Islamabad – Paris CDG – Barcelona – Sialkot – Paris – Barcelona – Islamabad, with the operation taking two-days for the 777-200s that will operate these sectors to perform. No other airline flies the 6,074- and 6,312-kilometre connections from Sialkot to Paris or Barcelona at this time. As stated, the airline already operates to both European cities from Islamabad, while the carrier also links Lahore to the French capital airport. Based on OAG schedules, Pakistan International already has a number of routes from Sialkot, with it linking the city to Dammam, Jeddah, Karachi, Muscat, Riyadh and Sharjah during the week commencing 22 January.

PIA adorns aircraft with national animal Markhor logo

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has introduced a new livery with its logo and design to include a painting of the Markhor, the national animal which inhabits the mountainous regions of the country.
The Markhor will be visible on the aircraft tail, while the cockpit of PIA planes integrates the Pakistan’s flag, accompanied by PIA – written in English and Urdu.
The Express Tribune

“Markhor is a national animal which is a fighter and does not lose heart in the hard time as he has courage to climb the mountain regardless of the difficulties. PIA will also touch the heights in the same manner."

Photo:Jeremy

Dubai International (DXB / OMDB), United Arab Emirates

A320-214  - AP-BLU (cn 2719)

Pakistan International W16 International route additions

Pakistan International Airlines in winter 2016/17 season is adding a number of new routes/routings, including new route to Salalah, as well as service resumption to Barcelona. Planned schedule as follow.


eff 30OCT16 Lahore – Islamabad – Beijing – Tokyo Narita – Beijing – Lahore – Islamabad New routing with A310. Overall Beijing and Tokyo service remains unchanged at 3 weekly level

PK852 LHE2020 – 2100ISB2250 – 0720+1PEK0835+1 – 1250+1NRT 310 7

PK853 NRT1400 – 1705PEK1830 – 2200LHE2300 – 2350ISB 310 1


eff 04NOV16 Islamabad – Kuala Lumpur 1 weekly A310

PK892 ISB0100 – 1000KUL 310 5
PK893 KUL0340 – 0730ISB 310 6

eff 01DEC16 Lahore – Salalah 2 weekly A320

PK235 LHE1230 – 1530SLL 320 4

PK235 LHE2115 – 0015+1SLL 320 7


PK236 SLL0115 – 0545LHE 320 1
PK236 SLL1630 – 2100LHE 320 4

eff 09DEC16 Karachi – Lahore – Manchester – New York JFK – Islamabad – Karachi New routing with 777-300ER. Overall New York service increases to 3 weekly

PK723 KHI0845 – 1030LHE1230 – 1555MAN1755 – 2005JFK 777 5

PK724 JFK2255 – 2240+1ISB0040+2 – 0235+1KHI 777 5

eff 11DEC16 Islamabad – Paris CDG – Barcelona – Islamabad 1 weekly Boeing 777-200ER. This new routing replaces Islamabad – Paris CDG – Milan Malpensa – Islamabad (Except 09JAN17 – 11FEB17)
PK769 ISB0950 – 1415CDG1600 – 1740BCN 772 7

PK770 BCN1900 – 0640+1ISB 772 7




eff 13DEC16 Lahore – Paris CDG – Barcelona – Lahore 1 weekly Boeing 777-200ER. This new routing replaces Lahore – Milan Malpensa – Paris CDG – Lahore (Except 10JAN17 – 31JAN17)

PK733 LHE1205 – 1640CDG1805 – 1945BCN 772 2
PK734 BCN2115 – 0915+1LHE 772 2

Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline

PIA to acquire eight B787s

PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Karachi Int'l) is set to acquire eight B787s from Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) the BBC has reported quoting the carrier's chairman Azam Saigol.

In an interview, Saigol said an agreement had been reached in principle with the US manufacturer with the first deliveries due from June next year onwards.

The announcement comes after Boeing approached the Pakistani government earlier this year with a proposal to convert its five remaining B777-300(ER)s on order to B787s.

As such, Saigol said the B787s would be a better fit for the carrier given their long-range capabilities and reduced seating capacity as compared to the B777-300(ER)s. As such, a viable, nonstop New York JFK service is now a real possibility, he added.

PIA's longhaul fleet currently consists of six B777-200(ER)s, two B777-200(LR)s, three B777-300(ER)s, and one A330-300 (leased from SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo Int'l) with two more due in October and December respectively).

ch aviation

Boeing Offers Upgrading PIA Fleet with 787 Dreamliner

The Boeing Company has shown interest in the conversion of Pakistan International Airlines' (PIA's) existing 777-300 ERs into the new 787 Dreamliner - an airplane with the right size, unique capabilities, and unmatched passenger experience.

Boeing Company president expressed the views that they see a viable opportunity to convert the PIA's existing 777-300 ERs into the new 787 Dreamliner, which will help PIA expanding its Premium Service into Europe and the heart of Asia

The Boeing president urged the prime minister to work with the company to complete the substitution process, enabling PIA to operate the most technologically advanced aircraft in the world. The Boeing is vested in the success of the PIA and assures its fullest support in this regard, Ray Conner reiterated.

The prime minister has directed the quarters concerned to consider the proposal within the legal framework in vogue. He said the steps taken by the government for uplifting the national flag carrier have started yielding benefits as well as immense opportunities for reviving the glory of PIA that used to be one of the best airlines in the world.

The offer from the leading companies like the Boeing, that has a historical track record, is a testimony to our endeavors in making PIA one of the best airlines in the world, the prime minister said.Daily Times

PIA Pakistan launches Premier service using A330s

PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Karachi Int'l) inaugurated its new "Premier" niche service this past weekend with flights to London Heathrow from each of Islamabad and Lahore Int'l.




Featuring a higher quality of inflight service and amenities as compared to regular PIA flights, the Premier service will employ a trio of A330-300s leased from SriLankan Airlines (UL, Colombo Int'l). The first aircraft - 4R-ALN (cn 1604) - is currently in service with the remaining two expected to arrive by February 2017.
During the inauguration ceremony in Islamabad, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said studies were underway to expand the Premier service to PIA's domestic network.

ch aviation

Pakistan International Airlines on 6 January launched a weekly (Wednesday) service between Lahore (KHI) and Dhaka (DAC) in Bangladesh

The 1,786-kilometre route will be operated by the airline’s A320s. The airline last flew the route back in early 2014 with A310s. No other carrier currently serves the market. This is PIA’s second route between the two countries as it already connects Karachi with Dhaka on a twice-weekly basis.

PIA PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES: RetroJet B777-200ER

PIA

Pakistan Int'l Airlines to replace B747 with leased B767s

PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Karachi Int'l) chairman Nasser Jaffer says his airline is to withdraw its sole remaining B747 from revenue service by the end of July. The 27-year old B747-300, AP-BFY (msn 23920), is currently used on flights between Karachi Int'l and Jeddah. 

 Local Pakistani news reports state PIA is in talks to replace the B747 with a pair of B767-300(ER)s wet-leased from Mega Maldives Air (LV, Malé) on 10 week-long contracts. The first of the aircraft, 8Q-MEE (msn 27959), is slated to arrive on August 10 with 8Q-MEF (msn 27960) to follow on August 15. Both contracts run until October 28 and are extendible if need be.

 PIA's widebody fleet is now dominated by the B777 with two B777-200(LR)s, four B777-200(ER)s, and three B777-300(ER)s. 

ch-aviation

PIA PAKISTAN - ATR 72-600 - F-WNUF

Alain Charpentier - TLS