PIA to Retire Boeing 747 after Hajj 2014

[Amaad Lone]

With fuel cost dropping by 30% would it not be feasible for PIA to keep two or three 747s flying until a suitable wide body aircraft is inducted.

With 500 all economy the 747-300 might keep the Jeddah route operational while the 777s can be used for Europe, UK and the U.S.

[Abdullah]

With fuel cost dropping by 30% would it not be feasible for PIA to keep two or three 747s flying until a suitable wide body aircraft is inducted.

With 500 all economy the 747-300 might keep the Jeddah route operational while the 777s can be used for Europe, UK and the U.S.

This is not only the fuel cost but maintenance and operational cost with airworthiness question marked. No signs of wide body aircraft out of B777s.

[Abbas Ali]

Today's PIA Karachi to Lahore flight PK-304 and Lahore to Karachi flight PK-305 performed by Boeing 747-367 registration AP-BFY listed on following link:

http://libhomeradar.org/databasequery/r ... 0&limit=30

Abbas

[Abdullah]

Today's PIA Karachi to Lahore flight PK-304 and Lahore to Karachi flight PK-305 performed by Boeing 747-367 registration AP-BFY listed on following link:

http://libhomeradar.org/databasequery/r ... 0&limit=30

Abbas

I tried to watch it live but there was no record anywhere, Why?

[Abbas Ali]

Probably due to absence of ADS-B transponder PIA Boeing 747-300 and ATR 42-500 aircraft do not appear on flightradar24.com.

http://www.flightradar24.com/how-it-works

Abbas

[Abdullah]

Probably due to absence of ADS-B transponder PIA Boeing 747-300 and ATR 42-500 aircraft do not appear on flightradar24.com.

http://www.flightradar24.com/how-it-works

Abbas

I think, ADS-B transponder is not mandatory yet, FAA has mandated ADS-B by 2020.

[AN]

for PIA the operating cost a B747-300 is lower than that of operating a 777-200LR/300ER, whilst at the same time the capacity is much higher of a 747 therefore the profit margin is much higher. This is established from figures published by PIA's own finance/eng departments, and was calculated at a fuel cost of over 100$, with a 40% drop in that cost, and the 747 operating cost being mostly fuel, whilst the 777 operating cost is mostly Lease payment, the 747 will become even cheaper to operate.

What a perfect time for PIA to retire the 747.

[bigfish]

B747's are still available to be leased/purchased, even used ones, as many airlines are not using them.

So PIA could've gotten some if they had funding available, and continue the jumbo's on Saudi Arabian routes as those are high capacity such as people going round the year for Visits/Umrah, and then also very useful for Haj Operations.

The B777 is perfect for long-haul to far off destinations such as Toronto, New York, etc, wish PIA would increase frequencies to these cities as it would be nice to have daily flight(s).

[rayyanullah]

Maintenance cost of B-747-300 or any other old machine that has not been in production for decades.
Try getting hold of parts to maintain a 30 year old car and you will soon realize they are only available in the junk yard without any kind of warranty. Such parts can be used in a vehicles that ply on roads but for aviation its a different story.
Should we use parts without warranties that are re-furbished in house and accept the inherent risks and finally if as our learned friends tell us it is economical to operate the retired B-747's then why not only the 300 but the 400 variants are available in such numbers.

[umar744]

Yes AP-BFY still fly till 2015 but yes or no can AP=BFV fly back again or NOT?

[hasan saleem]

Only BFY flying and will apparently retire by March 2015

[Abbas Ali]

According to a local news channel:

* PIA has not been able to obtain clearance from General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of Saudi Arabia to operate its Boeing 747-300 aircraft for Umrah flights. GACA is not satisfied with the current condition of PIA Boeing 747.

* PIA will use Boeing 777 aircraft for Umrah flights.

* PIA hoping to get clearance soon to operate Boeing 747-300 for Umrah flights after making the aircraft acceptable to GACA.

Abbas

[hasan saleem]

743 is scheduled to operate PK-7013 KHI-JED on 25th Dec

[Abbas Ali]

Today AP-BFY departed from Lahore at 11:40 AM as flight PK-307 to Karachi.

Abbas

[GEnx]

Today I saw AP-BFY taking off from karachi airport at around 3:30 to 4 pm. I was at the gym when i saw the beautiful bird climbing. The paint on the jumbo was still looking fresh.