The Pakistan Airport Authority is pressing forward with its initiative to repurpose decommissioned aircraft for training purposes. In a significant move, the second such aircraft will be transported from Karachi to Hyderabad between Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Project Director Munir Alam confirmed that an MD-83 aircraft will be transferred from Jinnah International Airport. The operation has received the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from relevant authorities. Weighing 60 tons, the aircraft will be carried on a German technology-equipped trailer, navigating the National Highway via Gharo and Thatta to reach its destination in Hyderabad. The journey will be conducted in two separate parts.
This marks the second aircraft being moved to Hyderabad’s training facility. A few days prior, another aircraft was successfully relocated via the Super Highway.
The MD-83 in question, stretching 160 feet in length, was involved in an emergency crash landing in 2011 due to a malfunction in the nose wheel. This incident led to the temporary closure of Karachi’s main runway. Reports from that period revealed that the aircraft was transporting hunting equipment for an Arab prince.
Audit Report Unveils Financial Irregularities in PIA
In related news, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is under scrutiny following an audit report by the Auditor General of Pakistan, revealing severe financial mismanagement and fraudulent practices over a ten-year period (2007–2017). The audit uncovers significant irregularities such as inflated leasing agreements, dummy bookings, and the procurement of spare parts through intermediaries instead of open markets.
These practices have reportedly led to financial damages estimated in billions of rupees, impacting various operations including aircraft leasing, ticket bookings, and seat refund management. The audit findings underline the extensive challenges facing the national carrier, as reported by Express News.
