PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad International) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the dry-lease of up to five widebody aircraft of unspecified type, with deliveries expected in 2023.
The state-owned carrier is seeking aircraft for up to around 250-320 passengers in a dual-class configuration, with seats equipped with an in-flight entertainment system and an in-flight connectivity system. The aircraft have to be of 2016 builds or later. Leases will be for six years or until the next major maintenance check, whichever is later.
While the airline is willing to consider second-hand aircraft, its assessment criteria favour new or almost new aircraft. It will also award more points to proposals with deliveries towards the beginning of 2023 rather than later during the year. The carrier did not specify any further requirements regarding engine types or the exact number of seats in each of the two classes.
Proposals are due by October 3, 2022.
Previously, PIA said it would add just three widebodies in 2023.
The ch-aviation fleets module shows that PIA's current widebody fleet comprises six B777-200ERs (17.6 years old on average), two B777-200(LR)s (17.4), and five B777-300(ER)s (14.8). It has a further five B777-300(ER)s on order from Boeing under a 2012 contract, but deliveries of these aircraft have been indefinitely deferred. All of the carrier's B777s are powered by General Electric GE90 family engines.
The carrier also continues to charter a single A330-200 from Jordan Aviation (R5, Amman Queen Alia) to operate services to Europe after the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) rescinded PIA's Third Country Operator authorisation over the fake pilot licences scandal.
