KARACHI, Jan 31: Completing its journey from Seattle, USA, to London and Islamabad, PIA's newly-acquired Boeing 777 landed at Quaid-i-Azam International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

Delivered in Seattle on Jan 30, the first of the eight Boeing 777 inducted into PIA's fleet was given a warm welcome when it touched the tarmac at 2.20pm amidst drum beating and loud clapping from hundreds of officials and workers of the PIA.

"We are growing and the need to renew our fleet was imperative," said PIA chairman Ahmed Saeed while addressing the packed to capacity engineering section, decorated with flowers and balloons on Saturday.

Speaking from the dais with a Boeing 777 figuring-screen at the back and water falls on either side, Ahmed Saeed said, "Opening the all new technology 777s will give our passengers more frequency, access to more destinations and an improved class of service and comfort."

PIA is also the launch customer for the 777-200LR (longer range) and the second airline in the world to operate the 777 with the new fully integrated, certified Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) in the flight deck.

The EFB gives pilots all the information to navigate the aeroplane at their finger tips in a digital display, currently found in manuals.

Speaking on the occasion, Boeing vice-president (Sales) Tony Bright said, "The 777 family provides the flexibility to meet PIA's needs at present and in the future."

He said that the PIA and the Boeing look forward to expanding close working together relationship.

The PIA had ordered for 777s in 2002. The order, valued at $1.5 billion includes three 777-200ER (extended range), two 777- 200LR and three 777-300ER. It is the largest aeroplane order in the history of PIA and the largest capital goods order in the history of Pakistan.

The second delivery is due this month while the third in March and the deliveries will continue till the year 2008 when PIA will receive the last machine in the month of March.

The aircraft will seat 329 passengers in two-class configuration.

The PIA Director Marketing, Mr Kamran, said that the 777- 200ER would be used for operation to the United States destinations and could also be used for service to India. -APP