KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is considering a proposal to increase its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bernd Hildenbrand’s salary by Rs0.8 million, it has been learnt.

“The proposal is being considered keeping in view what CEOs of other state and private carriers in the country are drawing on monthly basis,” spokesman Daniyal Gilani said on Tuesday.

The state carrier’s spokesman said Hildenbrand was drawing $10,000 a month which is suggested to be increased to $18,000. “Even after the increase, it will be very much lesser than what CEOs of other carriers in Pakistan are getting,” he said.

Hildenbrand, who is a German national, has served for Lufthansa Airlines for about 40 years.

Earlier, it was being widely circulated in the media that the recently-appointed PIA chief has still not got security clearance from the organisation and therefore should not be eligible for an increment.

The PIA spokesman acknowledged that Hildenbrand’s security clearance is not through as of yet, but said the process is in progress and would be completed soon.

Terming it an encouraging development, Gilani said it was turning out to be good for the national carrier to be under the leadership of somebody like Hildenbrand who holds an extensive international work experience in the airline sector.

Gilani was hopeful that the proposal will be approved in a meeting on Wednesday (tomorrow).