ISLAMABAD, June 22: The Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) on Tuesday discussed the details of a presentation by a committee on the replacement of F-27 aircraft with turbo-prop planes, a PIA press release issued here said.

It said the PIA board's 280th meeting noted with satisfaction the process adopted for assessment, evaluation, techno-economic feasibility and progress of negotiation by the committee so far with potential sources of aircraft engine, sellers/lessors and manufacturers.

The board directed the committee to further negotiate with the potential sellers/lessors of aircraft/engine manufacturers for further evaluation and lowering down the project cost.

Updating the board on various other issues relating to the corporation, PIA chairman Ahmed Saeed explained the measures taken to improve the confidence of passengers and steps to make their travels comfortable and hassle-free. The board was informed that PIA was gradually inducting e- ticketing.

At present it was geared for e-booking only whereby anyone could book a seat on PIA's website but had to collect the ticket within six hours from the booking office. The next phase would be online payment and then e-ticketing.

It was also stated that cell phone users had a facility of flight information on 161 and that PIA call centres would soon be linked to SMS service and international toll free service.