PIA names Adrian Hamilton-Manns as new CEO

Dhaka: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has appointed aviation executive Adrian Hamilton-Manns as its chief executive, effective immediately, as the carrier begins a new phase under private ownership.

Hamilton-Manns succeeds Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, who led the airline for four and a half years and oversaw the privatization process. The New Zealand national brings more than 30 years of aviation experience, including leadership roles at flyafrica.com, Kazakhstan’s FlyArystan and Oman-based SalamAir. He has also held positions at Air New Zealand, South African Airways and IndiGo.

His appointment comes as PIA faces the challenge of improving financial performance, rebuilding its fleet and regaining market share. The airline’s new owners, a consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation, have outlined plans to expand its fleet from 19 aircraft to 64 over eight years.

The carrier has also begun addressing capacity constraints through a lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for two Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Its first Dreamliner arrived in Islamabad on November 1.

Hamilton-Manns will need to apply cost controls while strengthening operations and customer confidence. Restoring profitability, improving service reliability and expanding international connectivity are among the key challenges facing the airline under its new leadership.