RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines has included three Airbus A-330 planes in its fleet after signing a wet lease agreement with Sri Lankan Airlines.

A spokesman for PIA said that the national flag carrier formalised the wet leasing of three A-330 aircraft from Sri Lankan Airlines at a ceremony held in Colombo on Friday.

PIA CEO Bernd Hildenbrand signed the contract with Sri Lankan Airlines chairman Ajith Dias and CEO Capt Suren Ratwatte.

He said the contract had been materialised after a series of talks between the two sides.

First of the aircraft will be delivered to PIA the next week, while the rest in the following months.

The aircraft are in very good condition and will be used for PIA Premier, giving passengers a better experience and allowing the airlines to start regaining its market share, the spokesman said.

PIA Premier is scheduled to be launched on Aug 14, initially only for London. There will be six weekly Premier flights to London — three from Islamabad and three from Lahore.

Later, with addition of more aircraft, the service will be expanded to other destinations, he said PIA Chairman Azam Saigol appreciated efforts of the PIA team, led by Mr Hildenbrand, in finalising the contract.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2016