RAWALPINDI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has formally introduced a new livery and added a portrait of the Markhor on its aircraft, including a large one on the tail and two on the engines.

The font of the PIA logo has also been changed and it has been added to the belly so it is visible when the aircraft is flying overhead.

The previous livery was introduced 10 years ago and needed to be changed, said PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar, adding that these changes were part of the airline’s transformation and strategic business plan in order to give it a new and pleasant look.

See: PIA's turbulent flight into the sunset

“This is the first brand change in 10 years. Markhor is our national animal which can be found in the mountainous regions of Pakistan,” he said.

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan formally inaugurated the new livery and the portrait of the Markhor on Friday.

Senior officials of the PIA and Civil Aviation, including Secretary Aviation Irfan Elahi, PIA President and CEO Musharraf Rasool Cyan, COO Zia Qadir, CCO Bilal Munir Sheikh, Chief Technical Officer Amir Ali and HR Chief Asma Bajwa, were also present on the occasion.

Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan said PIA had taken a progressive step to rebuild its image and that it is one of the endeavours to rebrand PIA. He said the move also reiterates the country’s commitment to the preservation of the Markhor.

Mr Cyan said the PIA management will be upgrading the level and standard of facilities it offers.

“I appreciate this effort of rebranding the airline’s image. Markhor is the national animal, it is a fighter and does not lose heart in hard times,” said the adviser on aviation.

Meanwhile, Airbus A320 will land at the new Islamabad International Airport on Saturday as part of a mock exercise aimed at assessing preparations for official inauguration of new airport on April 20.

PIA spokesman Mashood Tajwar said the PIA’s A320 would take off from Benazir Bhutto International Airport at 12:30pm on Saturday as PK-9001 and will make landing at new Islamabad International Airport at 1pm.

He said PIA president and CEO Dr Musharraf Rasool Cyan will be on board to assess the operational ability of the new airport.

For the mock exercise, more than 350 invitations have been issued to the PIA staff members’ families, including some retired officials.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2018