Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is closing on a deal to replace its fleet of Fokker F27s with younger turboprops. The airline has concluded a deal to sell its F27 fleet for $1.3 million.
The national carrier has been evaluating the ATR 42 and Bombardier Dash 8 for its domestic services, and earlier this year said it was likely to choose the former.
"It is not a done deal, but we are discussing it with them and things are progressing well," says ATR general secretary Jean-Pierre Cousserans, adding that PIA is expected to make a decision before the year-end.
PIA is looking at buying five to eight aircraft, says Cousserans, who adds: "It might be a mixed solution between new and used aircraft." However, PIA has previously stated that it would only buy used aircraft.
The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding to sell its 11 F27s, most of which are over 40 years old, to the IAA Aerospace Group for $1.3 million.
"The first two aircraft we will probably sell - possibly in Africa in the next two to three months," says IAA Aerospace. The rest are likely to be broken for spares.
Source: Flight International
