10 June 2004	Thursday	21 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, June 9: Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) has made financial investments to ably meet the challenges ahead.

This was stated by Minister for Defence Rao Sikandar Iqbal while speaking at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Allied Departments here on Wednesday.

The meeting was requisitioned by Senator Rukhsana Zubairi to know the factual position regarding various important matters concerning the national carrier. The defence minister pointed out that due to bearing huge financial losses, the existence of the PIA was endangered as some other airlines in the region were endeavouring to cash on the situation.

He said the PIA made spending not only to survive but also to restore its lost stature in the airline sector. The meeting was also given a detailed briefing on major spending and investment by the PIA in different spheres with special regard to purchase of new Boeing-777 aircraft, replacement of seats of Airbus A-310 aircraft and sale of used Fokker F-27 aircraft.

The PIA chairman, Ahmed Saeed, said the purchase of Boeing 777 series aircraft was made after thorough study of the market as well as the load of the air traffic and passengers on different routes.

He said these comparatively capacity-wise smaller aircraft were bought due to their fuel economy and passenger load. About the replacement of seats of Airbus aircraft, he said this decision was reached to ensure the comfort and demand of the passengers of the wide-bodied aircraft.

Answering a question, he said the PIA did not require No Technical Objection (NTO) certification from the Airbus for the replacement of seats, as there was no structural change required in major frame of the aircraft.

He said the sale of used Fokker aircraft in the existing PIA fleet would help fetch a handsome amount for the airline. Mr Saeed told the meeting that the PIA had surpassed the set profit target. -APP

OUR REPORTER ADDS: The Civil Aviation Authority is undertaking repair work of Islamabad International Airport from June 10 and complete the same by July 15. According to a PIA press release quoting CAA sources, the Airport will remain closed for air operations between 12 noon to 5pm.

Meanwhile, according to sources, all PIA flights, both domestic and international, will operate before and after the specified