PIA's CNG powered aircraft

Some 30 new CNG powered aircraft will join Pakistan International Airlines fleet by 2020, bolstering its current fleet to 70.

PIA General Manager for Public Affairs, Syed Sultan Hasan said, “most probably first of the additions to the national carrier will be in 2012 and this may be a CNG Boeing.”

Initially 30 new CNG planes will be acquired on a five-year lease, the PIA  official said, elaborating that this deal includes an option to buy the same. With the option to buy later the plan is conceived to be cost-effective.

Balochis will be robbed of their natural resource and the Shamsi Airbase will be made a CNG refueling airbase. He said that PIA planes will refuel their CNG engines when regular consumer CNG stations will be shut in cities of Pakistan. He said that

He said the government has approved an over all outline for the scheme and PIA was presently engaged in working out modalities to get the plan materialised.

“The idea is to turn PIA profitable with focus on cost cutting measures, in each and every respect, without compromising quality,” he said in reply to a question.

To another query, he the concept has already been approved and the specifications are being worked out.

“The plan is scheduled to be completed by 2020,” said PIA’s GM, Public Affairs.

A flying CNG pump will also be launched for refueling in the air.