ISLAMABAD: Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines Captain Aijaz Haroon has said that the global business approach and cooperation is must for the future development of the airlines.
Talking to reporters at the National Press Club Islamabad, Capt. Aijaz Haroon said the proposed agreement with the Turkish Airlines would enable the national carrier to find new markets in the Western capitals.
The agreement if finalised would help PIA passengers to travel to any destination in Europe, USA or Canada. They would also get quick connections in a very short time, he said.
He emphasised that PIA is not selling any of its profitable routes and it will continue to operate on all its major routes such as London, Leeds and Birmingham.
He said due to security reasons and financial constraints Pakistan cannot become the hub of international travel. However, the agreement with Turkish Airlines will eventually enable PIA to expand into Europe and the USA.
He said Istanbul would become the hub of Pakistan International Airlines' operations in Europe and the US.
PIA would get an opportunity to book passengers for any destination in Europe and the US on daily flights. PIA will take passengers to Istanbul and from there the Turkish Airlines will take them on onward journey.
He said "The passengers will benefit as the Turkish Airlines has daily flights to destinations where PIA does not got to.
Aijaz Haroon said "we will benefit as we will get 15 percent commission on all such bookings.
Aijaz Haroon said that currently PIA has only ten flights to locations in Europe but if any Pakistani wishing to go to Brussels either has to take foreign airline or travel to France for the purpose.
He said last year around 14,700 Pakistani passengers travelled to Athens through other airlines since PIA did not have service to that location.
He said, PIA conducts three flights to New York and two to Chicago but the Turkish Airlines operates daily flights to Washington DC, Los Angles and other locations.
He said PIA will operate daily flights to Istanbul and benefit from the huge fleet and operation of Turkish Airlines.
He said "the Turkish Airlines will thus have a larger share of Pakistanis travelling to Europe and USA."
He said that Turkish Airlines would enable passengers possessing PIA tickets to travel from Istanbul to any European city such as Amsterdam, Milan or Frankfurt.
The Managing Director of PIA told reporters that on account of rising competition from the Gulf carriers, PIA currently has only 43 percent of international passengers which was 60 percent in 1993.
Aijaz Haroon said that under the agreement PIA would also be required to upgrade its service, as Turkish Airlines is rated tenth in the world and third best among the European carriers.
Aijaz Haroon said "besides we are focusing on acquiring the Turkish Airlines operations in the East to Beijing, Kuala Lampur, Katmandu, Dhaka, Malaysia and an offer to concession at Western routes".
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