NUZHAT NAZAR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is all set to implement the first phase of its latest business plan ‘VI Initiative’ which outlines a roadmap to ensure immediate improvement in services.

Informed sources said the PIA is ready to implement the first phase of latest business plan, V1 Initiative - as it is called after the V1 velocity that an aircraft achieves on the runway before committing to fly - to turn around the company in 18 months. As per the latest business plan, the airline is geared to achieve profitability by 2022, if not earlier.

While introducing the V1 initiative, CEO PIA Dr Musharaff Rasool Cyan informed media on Tuesday, “I see PIA dominating the skies again! I see it clearly and I see it surely! And my confidence comes not from things we promise but things we have already delivered and are everyday accomplishing to bring a positive change.” He further stated that “the engines are revved and we are on the runway and well on our way to gain maximum speed to take off. We are committed to flying to great heights,” remarked Dr Cyan, as he introduced the VI Initiative.

Understanding the importance of making changes in the shortest time, the VI Initiative outlines a roadmap to ensure immediate drastic improvements in services. Over 40% of the activities have already been rolled out. The activities include cabin look enhancement, ground staff customer services and cabin crew refresher training, IT transformation for improved customer touch points and ease in interacting with PIA, focus on direct selling channels, new uniform for ground staff, new revenue accounting systems, Re-branding of PIA and increased digital footprint of PIA, and formulation of controls for revenue leakages.

The operating reports from the last couple of months confirm PIA’s upward trajectory. The strength of the business plan can be seen in the positive results as sales have risen by 29% since the month of October 2017, and have been growing constantly. To date, PIA has rolled out 7 refurbished aircraft. Customer service touch points are also seeing improvements and increased engagement and interaction is being observed through SMS, call centre, app and social media platforms. “Re-branding of the aircraft, the flying global billboards, is also underway with a new fresher look and feel, contemporary but tied to our rich legacy and lineage,” he said

With a 67% market share in the domestic market, Pakistan International Airlines is already the national market leader, carrying millions of passengers through the largest domestic network covering all parts of the country. Now the aim is to gain glory in the international realm. In this endeavor a clear roadmap till 2022 has been outlined in the recently launched business plan.