Taking PIA out of crisis: Zai spells out steps

Pakistan International Airlines will come out of crisis soon with team efforts, new marketing strategy and opening of new routes. This was stated by the Managing Director of PIA, Captain Nadeem Yousuf Zai, while speaking at a ceremony held at Galadari Hotel here on Monday night in connection with PIA's inaugural flight to Colombo.
"PIA requires new aircraft for opening of new routes and as part of new marketing strategy, we are planning to purchase or hire new medium and long-range planes to open new routes for the Gulf, Afghanistan and European countries.
He said with the re-launch of flight between Karachi and Colombo, a new chapter has opened in the communication relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka which enjoy close friendly ties. "The re-launch of Karachi-Colombo flight is in accordance with the policy of the PIA management to `soar to new height," he added.
Captain Nadeem Yousuf Zai said that Pakistan also intends to initiate a flight to Colombo from Lahore and had held talks with Sri Lankan Civil Aviation officials in this respect. PIA has also offered Sri Lankan Aviation authority to visit PIA head office to see the performance of engineering and reservation department. He was of the view that the national flag carrier has again risen to the occasion and teamed up with the prestigious and world renowned tour operators and travel agents to offer special and discounted travel packages for Sri Lanka to attend the World Cup.
The Managing Director said that Sri Lanka has been a true friend of Pakistan and a large number of Pakistanis are travelling to Sri Lanka as tourists and PIA intends to tap this segment and further enhance the leisure travel between the two Saarc countries. He said that last few years have seen trade and economic relations expanding between the two countries.
The MD said that a large number of Pakistani tourists are lured by both tourist attractions and low cost travel. He said that PIA flights to Sri Lanka will deeply facilitate the brisk trade in export of ingredients of beetle leaf. Pakistan High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Ms Seema Elahi Baloch was the guest of honour on the occasion. He termed this as an important occasion and a need of both countries to further cement the friendship. She said the Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka will work closely with the PIA to make this a success. Aqeel Siddique, Country Manager PIA for Sri Lanka, Imran Ahmed, Director Marketing PIA and other officials were also present on the occasion.