RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to induct three wide-body aircraft in its fleet next year.

According to sources, the PIA will acquire Airbus A-330 and Boeing-787 within the first quarter of 2023 as part of its improvement policy.

The airline’s spokesman said that the new aircraft would replace the planes acquired in 2002 and 2003.

The induction of new aircraft was aimed at expanding operations for long-haul flights as A-330 was one of the most modern and reliable aircraft.

Separately, the airlines had also planned to induct four Airbus A-320s into its fleet in this year, out of which two have already become a part of the fleet while two more aircraft will be added next month, the spokesman added.

Moreover, the airline has decided to refurbish five existing A-320s and replace their old seats with spacious and more comfortable ones.

The PIA spokesman said the process of refurbishing would be completed within four months.

Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq was briefed on Thursday by the airline’s management about the procurement of new aircraft and improvement in service delivery.

The minister also ordered replacement of the seats in PIA’s special Boeing-777 long-haul aircraft which operates on Canadian routes.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2022