PIA to Retain Its Name After Privatization, Major Service Improvements Planned: Arif Habib

Islamabad – Arif Habib, head of the consortium that has acquired a 75 percent stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), has clarified that the national carrier will continue to operate under its original name and long-standing identity.

In an exclusive interview with Independent Urdu, Arif Habib said that under the terms of privatization, the airline’s name cannot be changed. However, improving services and overall quality will be the top priority of the new management.

He stated that efforts will be made to preserve PIA’s existing brand identity, but if technical consultations allow room for improvement, positive changes may be introduced in uniforms, service presentation, and overall appearance to give the airline a more modern and improved look.

Arif Habib said that passengers will experience a noticeable difference after the takeover. Check-in counters, cabins, seating, and onboard entertainment systems will be upgraded, while special focus will be placed on staff training to ensure passenger service and behavior meet international standards.

Speaking about the fleet, he revealed that around 19 new aircraft will be added to PIA’s fleet over the next three to four years. After that, further expansion is planned to increase the total number of aircraft to 64, bringing the overall addition to approximately 25 new planes.

According to him, the fleet will include both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft, such as Airbus A320s and Boeing 777s. Narrow-body aircraft will mainly be used for short-haul and regional routes, while wide-body planes will be essential for long-haul international destinations including Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Arif Habib said these measures aim to make PIA stable, reliable, and a preferred airline once again, helping restore public trust in the national carrier.