THIS refers to the statement by PIA’s CEO Bernd Hildenbrand (March 24). He has put all the blame for the ills plaguing PIA on the government’s open air policy and airlines operating from the Middle East.

If we believe him then the pathetic in-flight service, unreliable schedule, poor condition of aircraft and the incompetent and corrupt administration have no role in the fast deteriorating health of PIA.

The open air policy has given options to the people to fly on an airline which gives better, reliable and safe service at a competitive rate.

The Middle East-based airlines are giving a tough time to almost all the airlines in the world. In fact, the US-based airlines for years tried unsuccessfully to find any evidence of illegal protection given to Emirates, Etihad Airways or Qatar Airways.

The fact is that PIA needs to reinvent itself. It has an advantage no other airline has, which is direct service.

No passenger relishes the idea of a long transit time through unnecessary stops, which all Middle East airlines make at their hubs.

All PIA has to do to win customers is to improve its in-flight service , provide seats that are not broken, food that is not stale, toilets that keep working throughout the flight and, above all, a competent staff hired for its efficiency and not its political connections.

Syed Hussain Abbas

Karachi

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2017