Leading businessman Arif Habib has said that Pakistan International Airlines can become a profitable enterprise within its first year after privatization, provided the airline focuses on professional management, fleet expansion, and commercially viable routes.
Speaking about the consortium’s strategy for the national carrier, Habib said PIA currently operates a fleet of 19 aircraft, which the new owners plan to expand to 60 aircraft over the next five years. This would more than triple the airline’s existing fleet and significantly increase its operational capacity.
He added that four to five aircraft that are currently grounded will be repaired and brought back into service, while an additional five aircraft are expected to be inducted into the fleet during the current year.
Habib said the fleet expansion plan will be supported by increased staffing to meet operational needs as flight operations grow. He stressed that the airline will prioritize domestic and international routes that offer strong commercial returns, rather than spreading resources thin across loss-making sectors.
As part of the turnaround strategy, the new management also plans to modernize PIA’s engineering and maintenance facilities in Karachi, aiming to reduce costs, improve aircraft availability, and enhance safety standards.
Commenting on the privatization transaction, Habib said payment for 66 percent of PIA’s shares has already been completed. The remaining 34 percent will be paid within one year, in line with the terms agreed with the government.
Addressing concerns among employees, Habib assured that no layoffs will take place during the first year following privatization. He said recruitment for senior management positions is currently underway and is expected to be finalized within the next one to one-and-a-half months.
The privatization of PIA represents one of Pakistan’s largest state-owned enterprise reforms in recent years. The new owners say their objective is to restore the airline’s financial health after years of losses, operational inefficiencies, and declining service standards, while positioning it as a competitive player in the regional aviation market.
