LAHORE: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to scarp the only jumbo jet in its fleet and acquire two planes on a wet lease for the upcoming Haj operation.

In the last Haj operation, the airline had used the jumbo jet. However, this time it has decided not to use it and in its place it is going to acquire two Boeing-767 from Maldives on a wet lease. Some officials have raised objection to the management’s decision to acquire the planes on a wet lease, saying there is no justification in the presence of seven Boeing in the PIA fleet.

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Under the wet lease, an airline provides aircraft, pilots and cabin crew, along with maintenance and insurance facilities, while under the dry lease only aircraft are provided.

PIA spokesman Aamir Memon told Dawn that the management had initiated the process of acquiring two Boeing on a wet lease six months ago and a Maldives airline had been shortlisted after meeting the PPRA rules. “We have decided not to use the only Jumbo (503-seater) in our fleet and in its place two Boeing (300-seat each) will cater to the need of the national flag carrier during the Haj operation,” he said, adding the jumbo was being phased out because of its age.

During a recent meeting of the Haj Task Force, PIA Chairman Nasser Jaffer discussed the fleet deployment for the Haj operation requiring at least ‘9-units of Boeing’. “In case 9th unit of Boeing 777 is not made available there will be serious repercussions on the entire schedule,” said a senior PIA official.

The meting also finalised the schedule based on the assured availability of the 9 units of Boeing fleet and mentioned that total 167 extra flights will be operated by two units of B777-200 and as many units of leased aircraft.

Sources said ‘some elements’ were manipulating to reduce the number of wide body aircraft so that they could justify the induction of two B-767 on wet lease. “They could have acquired B-747 or B-777 on dry lease, utilising own crew and saving huge amount on lease money,” they said.

Justifying the management’s decision, Aamir Memon said PIA was operating three B-777ER, two B-777LR, two A-310 and two B-767 (wet lease) for Haj operation which will carry over 52,000 passengers. “The other Boeing the PIA has in its fleet will be used on other routes during the Haj operation, therefore, it needs at least two aircraft on a wet lease. And there has been no vested interest in this decision,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2015

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