Parliamentary Secretary for Cabinet Secretariat Raja Javed Ikhlas Wednesday said that the government has added 18 aircrafts during the last four years in the Pakistan International Airline.

Replying during the question hours in the National Assembly, he said that at present PIA has 37 aircrafts and there has been 19 aircrafts when present government took the charge in 2013.

“PIA has not floated any tender for purchase of new aircraft in the recent past however PIA has acquired aircraft on dry lease instead of purchase,” Javed Ikhlas added.

He said this allows the airline to conserve its depleted financial resources. However once the financial situation improves PIA may decide to acquire new aircraft.

“The quality and standard of new aircraft is assessed by a team of representatives of technical departments of PIA. However, the aircraft can operate only after the technical clearance of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),” he said.

Javed Ikhlas said that lease of four aircrafts will be ended to January 31 and CAA has floated tender to acquire aircrafts on dry and wet lease.

To question, he said the free and concessional tickets given to the PIA employees have no monetary value as all the tickets are subject to availability of load like a ticket to PIACL employee is only confirmed when vacant seat is available due to non-availability of passenger.

Javed Ikhlas said that one PIA aircraft A310 has been grounded in Germany. The non-fly worthy grounded aircraft after obtaining a waiver from CAA was rented to a film company based in London to shoot a film in Malta.

He said that thereafter, there was an attempt to sell that aircraft to a museum in Leipzig, Germany during 2016 while by passing the codal formalities like PPRA Rules and PIA internal procedures.

Javed Ikhlas said that inquiry was held and Bernd Hildenbrand, former Acting CEO, PIA was terminated. The aircraft is still property of PIA and its sale is being processed under the relevant rules.