KARACHI, May 18: Pakistan International Airlines chairman Tariq Kirmani has said that PIA employees will have to grasp the customer-focused vision and change their mindset to make the national carrier a commercially viable entity. “Business of an airline is transporting people from one place to another with comfort, convenience and competitive fares,” he said while sharing his views during his meetings with the personnel of engineering department at the Line Management Hanger at Karachi Airport.

“Sales, revenue and turnover do lead to profits, but all of them depend on the number of passengers carried and the operational costs,” he said adding that the status quo would lead nowhere rather result in a downside.

Referring to key performance indicators, he said these were to measure the performance and not a mere gauge of competence.

Mr Kirmani exhorted the engineers to carry out fleet maintenance from passenger’s point of view and always keep in mind that the passenger pays for his travel. Customer acceptance to the airline should be the ultimate goal, which, though difficult, was not impossible, he added.

He termed PIA engineers the best in the world and said they were technically qualified to keep the fleet airworthy. He expressed his confidence in their loyalty towards the airline, and expressed hope that their hard work and dedication would make the uphill task of corporate revival a reality.—APP