Pakistani lawmakers are to scrutinise what they believe to be a dodgy deal between PIA - Pakistan International Airlines (PK, Islamabad International) and a local company to develop a PKR700 million rupee (USD3 million) inflight entertainment system (IFE) for the national carrier's eight B777-200ERs.
The country’s Senate Standing Committee on Aviation this week will probe the deal between the airline and Pakistani firm Aviation Avionics. This followed a decision in 2020 to go with the local firm after off-the-shelf solutions proved too expensive, according to local news reports.
The aim was to make the national carrier more competitive on long-haul routes to Europe and the US while boosting the local manufacturing industry. PIA’s long-haul flights had lacked an effective IFE system for some time, leaving it at a competitive disadvantage against the likes of Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways.
The Senate committee will also investigate the closure of PIA’s Hyderabad, PK booking office and look into the appointment and qualifications of the current director general of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and staff members appointed with him.
