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Birth of a Nation, Birth of an Airline
Air transport has probably never been more important
to the development of a new nation than in the case of Pakistan.
In June 1946, when Pakistan was still in the offing, Mr. Mohammad
Ali Jinnah, the Founder of the upcoming nation, instructed Mr.
M.A. Ispahani, a leading industrialist, to set up a national
airline, on a priority basis. With his singular vision and foresight,
Mr. Jinnah realized that with the formation of the two wings
of Pakistan, separated by 1100 miles, a swift and efficient
mode of transport was imperative.
Orient
Airways Takes to the Skies
On 23rd October 1946, a new
airline was born. Initially registered as a pilot project in
Calcutta, Orient Airways Ltd. had at its helm Mr. M.A. Ispahani
as Chairman and Air Vice Marshal O.K. Carter as General Manager.
The new carrier's base remained in Calcutta and an operating
license was obtained in May 1947.
Four Douglas DC-3s were purchased from Tempo of Texas in February
1947 and operations commenced on 4th June 1947. The designated
route for Orient Airways was Calcutta-Akyab-Rangoon, which also
happened to be the first post-war international sector to be
flown by an airline registered in India. Within two months of
Orient Airways' operational beginnings, Pakistan was born. The
birth of a new nation generated one of the largest transfers
of population in the history of mankind.
Orient Airways, along with the help of BOAC aircraft which had
been chartered by the Government of Pakistan, started relief
operations and transportation of people between Delhi and Karachi,
the two capitals. Subsequently, Orient Airways transferred its
base to Pakistan and established a vital link between Karachi
and Dacca, the two capitals of the two wings of Pakistan. With
a skeleton fleet of just two DC-3s, three crew members, and
twelve mechanics, Orient Airways launched its scheduled operations
in a fairy-tale manner. The initial routes were Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar,
Karachi-Quetta-Lahore and Karachi-Delhi Calcutta-Dacca. By the
end of 1949, Orient Airways had acquired 10 DC-3s and 3 Convair
240s which were operated on these routes. In 1950, it had become
increasingly apparent that additional capacity would have to
be inducted to cater to the growing needs of the sub-continent.
A New National Flag Carrier for
Pakistan
Orient Airways was a privately owned company,
with limited capital and resources. It could not be expected
to grow and expand independently. It was then that the Government
of Pakistan decided to form a state-owned airline and invited
Orient Airways to merge with it. The outcome of the merger was
the birth of a new airline, through PIAC Ordinance 1955 on January
10, 1955.
In addition to transport activities, Orient Airways had established
the nucleus of overhaul and maintenance facilities and acquired
trained pilots, engineers and technicians, measures which proved
to be a great asset for PIA during its teething phase.
PIA’s First International
Service
The year 1955 also marked the inauguration of
the fledgling airline's first scheduled international service
- to the glittering, glitzy capital city of London, via Cairo
and Rome. Initially, there was much criticism, as the public
could not comprehend or justify the need to operate an international
route when, in their opinion, other projects vital for a developing
country should have been given a higher priority. However, PIA's
focus was, and continues to be, to serve the Pakistani community
at large. The provision of transportation to expatriates has
remained one of the foremost priorities of the national airline.
Moreover, PIA earned substantial foreign exchange through international
services, which it invested in the purchase of aircraft and
spare parts, as fleet expansion was a grave necessity for the
airline.
New Planes, New Directions, New
Management
In 1956, orders were placed for two Super Constellations
and five Viscounts which were to be delivered in 1959. At this
juncture, PIA possessed a small fleet which comprised of Convairs,
Viscounts, Super Constellations and DC-3s.
While Mr. M.A. Ispahani was the first Chairman of the new dynamic
airline; it was the first Managing Director of PIA, Mr. Zafar-ul-Ahsan,
who in his 4 year tenure, got the ball truly rolling and set
the shape of things to come. The PIA Head Office building at
Karachi Airport, which houses all the major departments of the
airline, was the brain-child of Mr. Zafar-ul- Ahsan. In fact,
on his departure from the airline, the employees presented him
with a silver replica of the building with the caption, "The
House You Built".
In 1959, the Government of Pakistan appointed Air Commodore
Nur Khan as the Managing Director of PIA. With his visionary
leadership, PIA 'took off' and within a short span of 6 years,
gained the stature and status of one of the world's frontline
carriers. In aviation circles, this period has often been referred
to as the "golden years of PIA".
Development, expansion, and growth were keywords that the new
management was committed to. In March 1960, PIA launched its
first Boeing 707 jet service on the London-Karachi-Dacca, route
which later proved to be very successful. This trail-blazing
accomplishment resulted in PIA becoming the first Asian Airline
to operate a jet aircraft, setting trends for the future. In
1961, the airline took on the mammoth task of initiating a cross-Atlantic
service from Karachi to New York. By this time, PIA had placed
orders for more new aircraft, which included Fokker F-27s, Boeing
720Bs and Sikorsky helicopters. Helicopter services in East
Pakistan had gained momentum by 1962 and expanded to include
Sylhet, Chittagong, Dacca, Comilla and Ishurdi. PIA's helicopter
services carried over 70,000 passengers during the first year
of operation. At the time, it was regarded as a stellar operation,
equal to any other in the world. Unfortunately, due to two mishaps,
the service was discontinued in 1966.
Historic Firsts and Unbroken
Records
In 1962, finding the upper winds forecast favorable,
PIA set out to break the record for the fastest flight between
London and Karachi. With representatives of FAI (Federation
Aeronautique International) on board to monitor the official
timings, PIA completed the flight in 6 hours, 43 minutes, 51
seconds, a record which remains unbroken to this day.
In 1964, PIA achieved another historic first, regarded as a
major milestones in the chequered history of the airline. On
29th April, 1964, with a Boeing 720B, PIA earned the distinction
of becoming the first airline from a non-communist country to
fly into the People’s Republic of China. PIA's first service
to China was from Karachi to Shanghai via Canton. In 1964-65,
PIA expanded its fleet further with the addition of a fourth
Boeing 720B and two Fokker F-27s. Serious development had become
a reality and the PIA team continued to move ahead with ambitious
plans and goals for the national flag carrier.
A collective pride and a joyous buoyancy was pervasive within
the PIA family. Riding high on the crest of success, PIA became
a household name in Pakistan in the mid sixties. The war between
India and Pakistan, during
1965, further tested the national airline. PIA played a major
role in providing logistical support to the Armed Forces by
operating special flights using Boeings, Super Constellations,
and Viscounts. The Founder of the Nation, Mr. Jinnah had predicted
that the Pakistan Airforce would need the support of a civil
airline in special circumstances, and this came into evidence
during the war.
In 1966, a system of feeder services linking eight new points
in West Pakistan was introduced. By this time, the airline's
Viscounts were proving inadequate owing to traffic growth, and
had to be replaced by Tridents. The airline continued up the
growth curve, receiving two Fokker F-27s, two Boeing 707s and
one Trident in the following year.
Style, Glamour, and Charisma
Around this time, the airline saw a change in
the top slot. Air Vice Marshal, Asghar Khan took over the reigns
of PIA for a tenure of 3 years. A number of highpoints are attributed
to this period. The most colourful, if not the most significant,
occurrence for PIA was the introduction of a new air-hostesses'
uniform designed by none other than the renowned French designer,
Pierre Cardin. Taking the aviation world by storm, this move,
more than any other single factor, imprinted PIA's name on the
international market. The uniforms were an instant hit, both
at home and abroad.
Safety Management System at PIA
PIA is the first airline to get certified (initial certification)
on Safety Management System (SMS) by Civil Aviation Authority
CAA - Pakistan. CAA Air Navigation Order (ANO 91.0032 issued
in September 2008) binds all airlines operating in Pakistan
to have SMS. Well before the issuance of this ANO, PIA initiated
SMS awareness and implementation in July 2008. PIA awarded initial
certification on SMS in 27th February 2009 by CAA.
The Pursuit of Excellence Through
Technology and Quality Control
Not content with a number of historic firsts
under its belt, PIA made history yet again, by installing Pakistan's
first computer, an IBM1401, in 1967. PIA's first Engine Overhaul
Shop, located near the Head Office building, was also completed
and commissioned around this time. The Ground Training School
(GTS) now known as the PIA Training Centre, was first conceived
and developed during 1961-62. Interestingly, training was initially
imparted in the T-shaped building which has now become the PIA
Dispensary, close to the Head Office building.
Besides visible development and growth in traffic and revenues
in the sixties, PIA added additional destinations, new equipment,
and cutting-edge technology to support its ever expanding operations.
A new Jet Hangar for Boeings with a supporting airframe overhaul
shop was completed and commissioned in 1968.
In 1970, PIA set up its own Flight Kitchen in Karachi, which
caters, even today, to the national airline as well as other
carriers. Over the years, with the airline's expansion and increased
capacity, the need for a second Flight Kitchen became imperative.
- Ushering In a New Era of Growth
and Development
PIA heralded the nineties by
donning a bright new corporate identity. Old-timers may remember
the flutter that the earlier green and gold livery had created
when it was first introduced in 1974. However, in keeping
with the changing times, PIA introduced a smart, sporty 90's
look. The familiar PIA green was reinforced with moss green
and pale blue stripes were incorporated into the new corporate
identity. The stripes, a universal symbol of sport, highlighted
PIA's active participation and sponsorship of a diverse range
of national games. PIA's players have always been at the forefront
of Pakistani Cricket, Hockey, Squash, Football, Chess, Bridge,
Polo and Table-Tennis teams. The nineties also saw the expansion
of PIA's massive Haj and Umrah operations to Pakistan's smaller
cities, in addition to the major cities of Islamabad, Peshawar,
Lahore, Quetta and Karachi.
PIA's growth continues unabated and the airline now operates
globally, covering the entire domestic landscape and international
destinations spread over 4 continents.
Impressive statistics for a comparatively young airline? Since
its inception in 1955, PIA has indeed, come a long way.
- PIA traveler
information
- PIA In-flight
Entertainment
- PIA Cargo
- PIA Haj and Umrah
for more information:http://www.piac.com.pk/
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