PIA to expand fleet with 10 more planes

[ammad]

ISLAMABAD, March 11: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will acquire 10 aircraft of different categories on lease in an effort to enhance the size of its fleet, the National Assembly was told on Saturday.

In reply to a question by Mrs Belum Hasnain, Defence Minister Rao Sikandar Iqbal informed the National Assembly that PIAC was planning to induct four additional B-777 aircraft, three 70-seater turbo-prop planes and three A-310 freighter aircraft by 2011 on operating lease.

The national flag carrier is already in the process of buying eight B-777 and seven ATR 42-500 aircraft.

The national flag carrier has received four of the eight B-777 jets from Boeing. The remaining four planes will be delivered by 2008.

The first of the seven ATRs on PIA’s buying list are likely to join the fleet by May 2006, while the delivery of the remaining aircraft will be completed by May 2007.

The airline is also planning to replace its B-737 fleet in 2010 and A-310 passenger fleet from 2011.

According to details of the existing PIA fleet placed before the National Assembly, most of the Fokkers were manufactured in the 1960s, whereas the oldest among the wide-body aircraft are the B-747-200 Combi manufactured in 1979 and 1980.

[B777240ER]

A310 fleet from 2011...B787?

[pk757]

B787 would be out of PIA's range but i think PIA will definitely grab some used south asian A330s prob ex-CX OR EX-MS to replace 310s by then as they would be cheaper at the time.

[AirBlue]

They might go for the B737-900ER instead of the B787. And have different NG versions of the B737 family such as the -700, -800 or/and -900's

[BOEING777]

B787 would be out of PIA's range but i think PIA will definitely grab some used south asian A330s prob ex-CX OR EX-MS to replace 310s by then as they would be cheaper at the time.

Why exactly would the 787 be out of the running at PIA?

Id have thought PIA is sick to death of having "ex" aircraft now. A330's are old tech, its like PIA buying 744's. Theres far better alternatives and cheaper to operate as well.

Your logic makes lil sense. If anything, the 787 is a primary candidate to take over and replace both A300/A310 and even 737 operations.

[Charliedelta11]

If PIA wants to order the 787 , it will either have to order it right now , or within a years time because if Boeing is correct in claiming that the 787 will be a 777 replacement , then the market demand for the 787 will shoot , and the alst thing PIA wants is to be out of medium haul aircraft for a period oif time after outsourcing its A310's since brand new 787's will be hard to come by , if u keep in mind the backlog that would have bnuilt up over the years . And leasing wont be an option , u can compare it to the present condition of the A330's which are so difficult to get lease since no major carrier is willing to let them go...

[BOEING777]

^

Sir, Boeing has never intended, promoted or touted the 787 family to replace the 777 family.

It will indeed complement it, but *not* replace it. With the entry into service of the 777-200LR and 777-300ER and the advent of the 777-200F in 2008, the 777 family doesnt need replacing for at least a decade, if not more.

[Kashif]

The only 777 model that may be axed is the B777-200/ER, because off the proposed 787-1000 that emirates wants.

[flyingsystem]

...then the market demand for the 787 will shoot , and the alst thing PIA wants is to be out of medium haul aircraft for a period oif time after outsourcing its A310's since brand new 787's will be hard to come by , if u keep in mind the backlog that would have bnuilt up over the years...

I think if the demand is very important Boeing will expand their factory to meet demand, so the delay of delivery will be not too important.

They might go for the B737-900ER instead of the B787. And have different NG versions of the B737 family such as the -700, -800 or/and -900's

Its nice idea but if they (pia) foresee increase in demand they will go for B787 because its a long term plan.

[BOEING777]

The only 777 model that may be axed is the B777-200/ER, because off the proposed 787-1000 that emirates wants.

I wouldnt be so sure just yet- the proposed 787-10X still has far less range and freight uplift compared to the 777-200ER, even though the seat counts are rumoured to be very similar.

I'll believe it when I see it.....

[Kashif]

Of what I have read on the internet about the 787-1000 it will have similar range and capacity to the 777-200ER. But like you say, I belive it when I see it