Pakistan International Airline (PIA) was founded 74 years ago on October 29, 1946. PIA was first based in Calcutta British India as Orient Airways before independence. It is the largest airline which operates more than 30 aircrafts and almost 100 flights daily in 18 domestic and 25 international destinations. As per records 10,500 employees are working in here.
PIA is owned by Government of Pakistan and Private Holders. President & CEO of PIA is Air Marshal Arshad Malik who is doing a great job. PIA operates a three-class configuration on its domestic routes as Business Class, Economy and Executive Economy.
PIA Catering is the main supplies almost 15,000 meals each day. In April 2019, an MOU was signed between PIA and McDonald’s for the airlines catering. It provides special meals to passengers’ dietary and religious needs. No alcoholic beverages and pork are served.
A magazine “Humsafar” was introduced in 1980; this is also provided to all of the passengers. In January 2017, the airline began an internet system to deliver in-flight entertainment on some domestic flights. PIA also offers in-flight movies, music and TV shows. Even in flight maps and air shows.
They also have a Frequent Flyer Program, PIA Awards Plus+. This program allows the passengers to get free tickets, excess baggage vouchers, special deals, and discounts etc.
PIA also provides ground handling services to these airlines including Air China, China Southern Airlines, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Saudia, Sri Lankan Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways.
If we talk about incidents so as everything happens by the order of Allah, many of the incidents took place. The latest incident was on May 22, 2020 of Flight 8303 which was arriving from Lahore to Karachi. As it was going to reach Jinnah International Airport Karachi, the flight crashed at Jinnah Garden area near Model Colony, Malir. According to the CAA sources, its communication was disconnected one minute before the crash. In this crash, out of 99 only 2 passengers survived other 97 dead including 8 crew members.