KARACHI, Feb 4: The PIA fleet replacement plan, inducting 8 Boeing 777s in 8 years, would cost $1.6 billion.

This was stated by PIA chief operating officer Khurshid Anwar at oath-taking ceremony of Society of Aircraft Engineers here on Tuesday.

Khurshid Anwar referred to achievement of present management of the PIA, which, despite various difficulties, including financial crisis and ageing fleet, has succeeded in turning around the national carrier by exploiting its potential.

He said: “Our in-house maintenance of hi-tech aircraft and equipment and the standards of flight safety and airworthiness maintained by aircraft engineers are recognised by international Civil Aviation Organisation and regulatory agencies of the US, UK and France.”

He lauded the contribution of PIA employees particularly the role of the its engineering wing in meeting the pressure of peak months of December and January and Umra and Haj seasons as this year the PIA was able to fulfil its responsibility despite increased strength from 95 thousands of last year to one lakh 25 thousand pilgrims through trouble free operation.

He said the PIA has reduced over 60 per cent night stops in Europe which had been costing the PIA from 30 to 40 lakh rupees.

He said that this year the PIA was expecting profit to the tune of Rs3.5 billion and Rs1.2 billion raise in staff salary to be effective from January 2003.