Pakistan International Airlines is looking at leasing up to 18 aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Boeing 747s and Airbus A310s.
The airline is considering replacing the fleet with a mix of A320s or 737-800/900s and 777-300/-300ERs.
"The chosen aircraft will replace the older 747s and A310s which are in immediate need of replacement," a PIA official said.
The leases will start in March 2012. Besides using its own funds, the airline is considering taking a loan to fund them, said the official.
The new leases are part of the airline's plan to expand its fleet to up to 80 aircraft by 2020.
PIA also plans to add up to five ATR 72s to boost its turboprop fleet to 12. Flightglobal's ACAS database shows that it now has seven ATR 42s.
The airline has accumulated losses of Pakistani rupees (Rs) 120 billion ($1.34 billion) over the last 10 years as a result of rising fuel costs, landing and infrastructural charges, and depreciation of the rupee, added the official.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
