Aviation

Pakistan’s National Airline Set for Privatization as Elections Loom

As Pakistan gears up for elections on February 8, the caretaker administration is finalizing plans to sell the financially struggling Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

The move, considered a bold step in light of past government hesitations, comes as part of the country’s commitment to reform state-owned enterprises under a $3 billion bailout agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The decision to privatize PIA was made just weeks after the signing of the IMF agreement in June. The caretaker administration, in power since August and tasked with overseeing the upcoming elections, has been granted authority by the outgoing parliament to take necessary measures to meet IMF-imposed budgetary targets.

Minister for Privatisation Fawad Hasan declared, “We’re 98% done,” expressing confidence in the progress made. The other two percent, he clarified, is going to the cabinet to solicit approval for the plan, which was created by transaction adviser Ernst & Young. The cabinet would decide whether to sell the stake through a government-to-government agreement or a tender process, Fawad said.

A 51% stake in PIA with complete management control will be sold, according to the report from Reuters, which is anticipated to be unveiled before the caretaker administration’s term ends after the election. In the extensive 1,100-page report from Ernst & Young, it is explained that the airline’s debts would be divided into different entities to ease the process of privatization.

The accomplishments of the caretaker administration were highlighted by Fawad, who pointed out that they completed in four months what previous administrations had found difficult to complete in over a decade. The next government’s decision is likely to be heavily influenced by the status of PIA’s privatization, particularly if they plan to ask the IMF for more funding after the current bailout programme ends in March.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

Etihad Airways Unveils 10 Exciting New Routes for 2025

In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.