TRADE CHRONICLE Jul - Aug - 2022Huma Batool Becomes FirstEver Female Chairperson ofan Airline in PakistanSyeda HumaBatool is the firstwoman to own aPakistan-basedscheduled airline.Ms. Batool is thefirst ever womanin the Pakistan Aviation Industrywho has the prestige of acquiring anAirline License from the Pakistan CivilAviation Authority for Alvir AirwaysPrivate Limited.Ms. Huma Batool, a born leader and adynamic personality, having seventeenyears of diversified experience andgreat research on business models andsystems of economy, holds the honorof being the Chairperson, of AlvirAirways Private Limited.She is a woman who has a great passionfor her profession, she is an inspirationnot only for Pakistani women butacross the globe. She is awardednumerous awards for her services.She is a writer, and a poetess, and hasimmense fondness for English, Persianand Punjabi mystic poets.Airblue launches regularflights to SkarduAirblue has expanded its operationsand launched its regular flights toSkardu, after successful training andproving flights to the destination.This is another milestone achievedby the airline. Airblue affirms vigilantplanning with strict compliance to allprotocols and SOPs at every step of thejourney to ensure passengers’ comfort,convenience and safety.PIA to acquire three newaircraft next yearThe Pakistan International Airlines(PIA) has decided to induct three widebodyaircraft in its fleet next year.According to sources, the PIA willacquire Airbus A-330 and Boeing-787within the first quarter of 2023 as partof its improvement policy. The airline’sspokesman said that the new aircraftwould replace the planes acquiredin 2002 and 2003. The induction ofnew aircraft was aimed at expandingoperations for long-haul flights asA-330 was one of the most modern andreliable aircraft.Separately, the airlines had alsoplanned to induct four Airbus A-320sinto its fleet in this year, out of whichtwo have already become a part ofthe fleet while two more aircraft willbe added next month, the spokesmanExpansion of Serena Hotelsto develop tourism in KPTourism Promotion Services (Pak)Limited has entered into a BusinessSale Agreement with Pakistan ServicesLimited to acquire Pearl-ContinentalHotel Peshawar, with the intent topromote the untapped potential fortourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwaprovince. It will be Serena Hotels’second property in KP province afterthe Swat Serena Hotel, increasingthe total number of Serena Hotels inPakistan to 9.The addition of Serena Hotel inPeshawar, the oldest city of Pakistanwith a rich cultural heritage, will notonly help in extending the touristcircuit in KP province but will alsoallow regional connectivity for touristsand business travelers through itsportfolio of hotels in Islamabad,34added.Moreover, the airline has decidedto refurbish five existing A-320s andreplace their old seats with spaciousand more comfortable ones. ThePIA spokesman said the process ofrefurbishing would be completedwithin four months.Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiqwas briefed recently by the airline’smanagement about the procurementof new aircraft and improvement inservice delivery. The minister alsoordered replacement of the seats inPIA’s special Boeing-777 long-haulaircraft which operates on Canadianroutes.Peshawar, Kabul and Dushanbe. TheSerena Hotels has plans to furtherexpand its portfolio to other CentralAsian countries in the future.Serena Hotels in Pakistan is playinga pivotal role in promoting tourismin underdeveloped areas of Pakistanwith four properties in Gilgit-Baltistanincluding three Heritage properties.Two new Serena Hotels are underconstruction in Hunza and Sost inGilgit-Baltistan.The properties will showcase the scenicareas, rich cultural heritage, localcuisine, and traditional hospitality ofthe region, while providing economicopportunities for the local communitythrough skill development,employment, and enhancement ofthe value chain. As destination hotels,they will not only allow tourists torelax and enjoy the stunning views, butwill also provide venues for corporateretreats, family reunions, weddings,and conferences.The Company plans to invest inPeshawar Hotel for upgrading theguest rooms, restaurants, banquet hall,meeting rooms, health club, publicareas, and service delivery in line withSerena Hotel’s standards.
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