FIA begins probe into 'flawed planning' for repair of 11 PIA planes

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched an investigation into flawed planning for maintenance and annual inspection of 11 planes in the fleet of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).

According to sources, these planes have been grounded for 271 days even after lapse of the official time allocated for their repair. As a result, the PIA suffered a loss of at least Rs1 billion. The FIA has started looking into the matter under the inquiry number 57. 

It was found during the initial investigation that besides other factors unavailability of spare parts for the planes grounded in hangers was one of the factors responsible for delay in repair of these 11 planes of different companies and models. Engines and parts of these grounded planes were installed in other planes. 

Even auxiliary power units (APUs) of the grounded planes were installed in other planes. Later, the engineering wing of the PIA failed to provide the required parts for these grounded planes. The planes acquired on lease were not repaired on time therefore these planes could not be brought into commercial use and the PIA continued to suffer financial losses as the daily and monthly lease amount continued to add up. This lease amount is said to be around Rs1 billion.