PIA is in the process of acquiring five Boeing 747-8 aircraft. These are technologically one of the most advanced aircraft in the world. They are capable of non-stop flights from Pakistan to most of the major US cities such as New York, Chicago and Houston. These three cities have a large Pakistani expatriate population.

I would suggest that PIA negotiate with the US authorities to commence non-stop flights from Pakistan to the US. I say this because in the past when PIA was in the process of acquiring 777-LR Boeing aircraft, one of the main marketing incentives from the Americans was that these planes were capable of non-stop flights between Pakistan and the US.

However, once PIA bought these planes, they were not allowed to operate non-stop flights to the US due to ‘security’. This is absurd, as passengers are screened multiple times over when boarding a PIA flight from Pakistan to the US.

Let them have sky marshalls on the flights if that satisfies the ‘security’ concern. If PIA had the option of non-stop flights to the US then it could compete with Gulf carriers that are making a heap of money transporting Pakistanis to the US and around the world.

I really do not like the squeezed ‘cattle class’ economy seating on Gulf carriers. PIA seating configuration is more comfortable. I am sure people agree on this.

I hope that PIA management realises the potential of this route.

Ather Mirza

Chicago, USA

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2015

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