The PIAC Board of Directors had approved change of seats in view of the long routs Airbus usually flies to Europe, America and Far East.
The Board viewed that the passengers deserve comfortable seats, hence it was decided that Airbus A-310s to be furnished with the same seats installed on the PIA Boeing 777 aircraft, said a statement issued by PIA on Tuesday.
It said that various newspapers carried Senator Farhatullah Babar's allegation regarding change of seats on PIA Airbus A310 aircraft.
It may be mentioned that Singapore Airlines and Air Portugal have also initiated to install these comfortable seats. Moreover, United Airlines is also retrofitting these seats on 95 of their aircraft.
As for the seeking of permission from Airbus Company, it was stated that PIA does not require any as has been intimated by the Airbus in their Communication. PIA does not need NTO (Non Technical Objection) because "it concerns a cabin configuration and not a design/standard deviation for which and NTO can apply."
The project of these seats installation in Airbus A-310 aircraft along with IFE (Internal Flight Entertainment) equipment was undertaken jointly by equipment manufactures and certified by DER/DAR (Designated Engineering Representatives/ Designated Airworthiness Representatives) from DG AC France authorised by European Association Safety Authority (EASA). Based on certification by DER/DARI Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA) gave approval of the project to PIA. As is the aviation certification procedure, DG AC France on behalf of EASA will issue a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for these installations.
As for the Chairman PIAC chairing the purchase committee, it is pointed out that as per rules of the Corporation, the managing director chairs Central Purchase Committee (CPC) of which the Director (finance) is one of the members, hence no question of the Director (finance) chairing the Committee.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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