The Joint Action Committee of PIA Employees (JACPIAE) has endorsed the transparency being maintained by the PIA management in the acquisition of aircraft on lease for smooth Hajj operations and international schedules, a statement read today. This is significant as it effectively grants PIA management the mandate to move ahead with lease agreements for 737-800s.
The committee said that the selection of B737-800s were made predominantly taking into account some factors, which included their licence issued by the CAA Pakistan to pilots / cockpit crew for B737-300 (in service aircraft) is also valid for B737-800 with conversion of only one day class room training and two hours simulator training. Similarly, cabin crew conversion from B737-300 (in service) to B737-800 needs only two days class room training; engineers conversion training from B737-300 to B737-800 needs 18 days of training; existing shop repair and maintenance facility for 737-300 and 737-800 is common; spare parts inventory of B737-300 and B737-800 have 40 percent parts commonality. Good news for all involved on this deal.