ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced to increase the operation fleet with the addition of eight new planes by next year, the PIA spokesperson said on Wednesday.
The official said that the airline is planning to expand its network to Europe and the United Kingdom after the four-year ban, imposed by European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), had been lifted.
A PIA spokesperson said that with the expansion of the network and the possible resumption of flights to these regions, the national carrier is in the process of restoring its aircraft that were in long-term storage and bringing them back into operational service.
As part of the management’s plan, the operational fleet of wide-body Boeing 777 will increase to eight. Similarly, the number of A320 aircraft is expected to reach 12, while the number of ATR aircraft will increase to two.
“This fleet upgrade is in line with PIA’s aggressive operating plan for 2025. The airline is making every effort to expand its network, with the new air routes providing direct and low-cost travel facilities to expatriates living abroad,” the airline’s spokesperson said.
Furthermore, the official said that the airline’s operation to Europe would resume with a flight to Paris on January 10 and will operate two flights a week on this route.
Earlier in the National Assembly Standing Committee on Aviation on Monday, the national carrier’s CEO said that PIA’s agreement with Air France would facilitate passengers travelling to other European countries.
The CEO further revealed that daily flights from Karachi to Sukkur will start on Wednesday (today), adding that the construction of motorways has reduced the number of travellers on domestic flights.
