Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), once celebrated worldwide for its service, punctuality, and professionalism, now enters a new chapter through privatization. Yet PIA is more than a struggling airline—it is history, vision, and a dream that once flew across the globe. In an era when many airlines were still finding their footing, PIA led Asia, earning praise such as the famous words of a U.S. First Lady: “Great People to Fly With.”
PIA’s story begins with Pakistan’s earliest confidence and vision. After inheriting the Orient Airways fleet in 1947, PIA officially became the national airline in 1955. Despite limited resources, it connected East and West Pakistan, covering 2,253 km in hours instead of days by rail or sea. Karachi-Dhaka flights were more than transportation—they symbolized national unity. Soon, PIA launched international flights to Cairo, Rome, and London, at a time when many Asian carriers were still regional players.
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The airline’s golden era began in 1959 under Air Commodore Nur Khan. In 1960, PIA became Asia’s first airline to operate Boeing 707 jets, introducing jet service between Dhaka, Karachi, and London. In 1962, PIA began direct flights to New York, establishing Pakistan’s global aviation identity. Its pilots set records, including a London-Karachi flight in six hours and 43 minutes. Helicopter services connected remote areas in East Pakistan, while small towns in West Pakistan joined the national network.
PIA’s excellence extended to culture and presentation. Uniforms designed by French designer Pierre Cardin became internationally recognized symbols of professionalism. Despite setbacks, including the 1971 fall of Dhaka, leadership ensured no employees were laid off, and the airline continued to expand. By the 1970s and 1980s, PIA operated DC-10s, Boeing 747s, and Airbus A300s, pioneering the Boeing 737-300 in Asia. Its network stretched from Tokyo to New York and Africa to Europe, while providing technical and operational support to other international airlines.
PIA innovated globally, showing in-flight movies, building training centers, flight simulators, and full maintenance facilities. Its safety record remained exemplary, qualifying in 2005 for the IOSA audit as the region’s first airline. Today, despite losses and challenges, PIA’s history represents more than numbers—it is a testament to how vision, professionalism, and leadership once made Pakistan a leader in aviation.
Marking a new chapter, the Arif Habib Group consortium has acquired PIA for PKR 135 billion, securing the national airline through a competitive privatization process. Privatization Commission Adviser Muhammad Ali stated the government’s goal is not just to sell PIA, but to revive it, strengthen operations, and attract investment.
Seventy-five percent of the airline’s shares were put up for bidding, with 92.5% of proceeds earmarked for improving PIA. Payments will be made in two parts: two-thirds upfront and one-third later. Bidders may also include partners after the process.
In the first stage, Lucky Consortium bid PKR 101.5 billion, AirBlue offered PKR 26.5 billion, and Arif Habib Group submitted PKR 115 billion. In the second stage, Lucky Consortium increased its bid to PKR 120.25 billion, but Arif Habib Group topped it with PKR 121 billion, ultimately securing PIA.
With this acquisition, PIA is poised to combine its historic legacy with renewed investment and modern operations, offering hope that the airline could once again soar to its former global heights.