Pakistan flag carrier set to reverse decision as it looks to replace ageing Fokker F27s
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has dropped a plan to order Bombardier Dash 8s and instead intends to buy seven ATR 42s to replace its ageing Fokker F27s.
“It is more or less decided, but the matter is not yet finalised,” says a source in the airline’s headquarters, who confirms management has decided PIA should purchase seven new ATR 42s and in the longer term may add ATR 72s.
PIA management is hoping that the first ATR 42 will be delivered in the first quarter of next year, says the source, adding that the new turboprops will replace the nine F27s being used to serve smaller domestic routes. PIA plans to sell the seven F27s it owns and return the two F27s on lease.
The carrier’s board last year decided to purchase seven Dash 8 Q300s, but did not proceed with the deal, which was subject to government approval because PIA is a state-owned carrier. This means the airline will also need government approval for the ATR deal. ATR and Bombardier decline to comment on the development.
It is unclear why PIA failed to complete a deal with Bombardier. However, around eight months after it announced its intention to purchase aircraft from the Canadian manufacturer, PIA underwent a top-level management change with Tariq Kirmani appointed in April as chairman, replacing Choudhry Ahmed Saeed.
PIA in future may face increased competition on some of its regional domestic routes because privately owned domestic carrier Airblue is now seeking to purchase secondhand turboprops.
Airblue, which operates Airbus A320s on domestic trunk routes, hopes to start its first turboprop service in November and has been lobbying Pakistan’s government to let it take over routes PIA now serves using F27s.
If confirmed, the deal will be a significant win for the Franco-Italian consortium, which is experiencing a turnaround in fortunes. It recently landed a major deal in neighbouring India from Air Deccan for 30 ATR 72s. As ATR expands its presence in the region, it will jointly operate a simulator with Air Deccan and may also create a maintenance and logistics facility to support the local fleet.
LEITHEN FRANCIS / SINGAPORE
Source: Flight International
