In the course of recent decades, PIA’s performance has reliably been deteriorating and it is no longer the airline of choice for travelers in Pakistan. This stamped decrease in PIA’s performance has pulled significant media attention along with strident feedback from the public about the airline’s inauspicious situation. Numerous endeavors has been taken to “restore” PIA’s past magnificence but still they did not emerge and PIA has turned into a public division personified by corruption and inefficiency.
Who to Blame?
As far as who’s to blame, different stakeholders are quick to point fingers. The national airline policies which expands intense competition, is one of the reason that has added to PIA’s descending performance.
Usually present governments dole out fault to the political interventions of their predecessors, while economists demand that the free market economy is simply taking its regular course, where the weakest contenders are disposed of and just the fittest survive. But in reality, every past government in Pakistan has taken PIA in an unprofessional way. Government officials also use to ponder orders concerning a few operational matters; these include matters concerning departure territories, domestic and international postings, and even the attire of the cabin crew.
On October 15, 2015 PILDAT facilitated a briefing session on the Citizens’ Periodic Report on Performance of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in Islamabad. Ms. Nargis Sethi, Former Secretary Defense and Cabinet Secretary composed the report. Key facts and findings of the report were imparted to the members backed up by perspective of political gatherings briefed by Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, Secretary General Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Mr. Nasser N. S. Jaffer, Chairman PIA, also informed the honorable guests on issues to PIA’s revival.
While in briefing, Ms. Sethi presented some important facts that,
Hiring unqualified and ill-equipped individuals for technical and professional jobs, over-staffing, multiple layers of management, inadequate market strategy and the failure to plan for contingencies are some of the factors in aviation literature that point to airline failure.
In order to make the it profitable and efficient, Ms. Sethi suggested to implement the following reforms:
Qualified and autonomous Board of Directors (BoD) ought to be appointed in order to manage the decisions and the management must respect and implement all decisions taken by the Board of Directors (BOD).
All of the appointments, promotion, postings, training and termination should be carried out as per established policy and official procedure. This must not be influenced or dictated by any political or higher authority.
Labor unions and associations representing various groups & cadres of employees should not blackmail management and work in the concern for the employees and for the company.
PIA may consider getting listed under one stock exchange this would provide it more focused business visibility.
The transportation of dignitaries like the President or the Prime Minister of Pakistan on abroad visits ought to be isolated from the airline, as it negatively affects the general schedule along with being an inconvenience to passengers and also a financial loss to the airline. All VVIPs must organize their own particular travel needs that are not connected to PIA aircraft, team and kitchen in any way.
PIA is not only a commercial entity but also a national asset any decision concerning PIA must be taken keeping in mind the fact that PIA looks after the social, political, and defense requirements of the country.
