PIA Boeing 747-300 (AP-BFV)

[Abbas Ali]

Security looks a bit lax where the photos are taken with the fence in dilapidated condition...

The aircraft is apparently outside restricted/prohibited area.

Abbas

[shj]

Today, Team PSPK had the privilege of visiting the Queen, PIA's Boeing 747-300 AP-BFV, at the ASF ground. The beauty of this Queen is indescribable.
Exclusive: Team PSPK also got exclusive news that this aircraft is not being converted into a restaurant but it's being converted into a park, named Shuhada park. This park is being made to remember and honour the victims of the Karachi airport attacks of 2014. The interior of this aircraft is being done with memories of all the people who embraced martyrdom in the horrific attacks. It's going to be a spot for families as well as avgeeks to enjoy.
They say that photography(plane spotting) will be allowed here. It will be a go to place for avgeeks if that's the case. But I'm sure avgeeks will visit just to look at the revamped interior and the aircraft itself

Like https://www.facebook.com/planespotterspk for planespotting images from some of the great photographers of Pakistan

[shj]

Also notice the engines which have been replaced by 4 engine mock ups(plastic engines)
Work has been progressing very quickly and the people over there claimed that the park will be opened by 31st of March.
Interestingly, AP-BFV was also one of the "shuhada" during the 2014 airport attacks. The aircraft got hit with bullets and got damaged and PIA considered it too costly to repair so it was retired. The aircraft will be given a massive wash soon

[Abbas Ali]

Recent photos show PIA fuselage titles replaced by ASF titles, aircraft interior furnished for usage as restaurant, park developed and greenery grown around the aircraft.



Abbas

[Pakistan-1]

I'm pretty sure that she's the only former Cathay 747 preserved anywhere in the world

[Abbas Ali]

Is the ASF Boeing 747 restaurant going to be opened on June 8 i.e. third anniversary of terrorist attack at Karachi Airport in which this aircraft was damaged and did not return to service.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to DAWN News channel, the retired Boeing 747-300 registration AP-BFV of PIA was given to Airports Security Force (ASF) for anti-terrorism training of ASF personnel but ASF is going to use it for commercial purpose as a restaurant.



















Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

According to DAWN News channel.


ASF had requested Aviation Division for provision of the aircraft for training purposes.


PIA Board of Directors approved handing over of the aircraft for training purposes.


On the request, PIA handed over the aircraft to ASF permanently.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Aircraft interior as shown on DAWN News channel today.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

An ASF official told news media that the Boeing 747 gifted by PIA will be used for training ASF personnel and as mess.

















Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

ASF says its PIA jumbo jet 'restaurant' actually an officers' mess

By Yusra Salim

Published: June 3, 2017

KARACHI: The Airport Security Force (ASF) denied on Saturday the speculations on social media and reports by some publications that an old Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft had been converted into a restaurant.

“An old jumbo jet, 747-300 AP-BFV, was handed over to the ASF around one-and-a-half years ago for training and that too, free of charge,” ASF spokesperson Colonel Kashif told The Express Tribune.

The aircraft retired in 2014 and was stationed at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport until it was handed over to the security force in 2016, he added.

According to Colonel Kashif, sometimes the aircraft was used for training purposes but later it was decided that it must be maintained and changed into an officers’ club.

“An officer’s club is a mess for our officers and not a restaurant,” he added, describing the news circulating on varying platforms as unauthentic.

“The plane was no longer being used by the airline which is why when asked by the ASF, it was given to them for training,” said a PIA official.

He added that around 90 per cent recruits of the ASF did not have first-hand experience with aeroplanes.

“The retired PIA jumbo jet has been refurbished into a lavish dine-in area at the old airport for ASF training staff so that they could have their meals while enjoying their time,” the official continued. “The opening ceremony of the club will be held next month after Eid.”

The cockpit of the aircraft has not been changed as it will continue to be used for training. However, the passenger’s area has been converted into an officers’ mess. The PIA aircraft is surrounded by Shuhada Park and civilians will be allowed to visit the park and the club during certain hours and at a certain fee.

Source: https://tribune.com.pk/story/1426464/as ... cers-mess/

[Abbas Ali]

According to PTV News, the retired PIA Boeing 747 is furnished by ASF to be used as a restaurant.





Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Today, Airports Security Force (ASF) Shuhada Park near Karachi Airport was inaugurated by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Aviation Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan Abbasi. Retired PIA Boeing 747-300 (AP-BFV) is on display in this park.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Abbas