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Federal Minister of Aviation and Railways, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, announced that the Roosevelt Hotel owned by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in America has been leased to the New York City Administration for three years. Additionally, plans are underway to outsource the operations of three airports, starting with Islamabad airport, followed by Lahore and Karachi airports.
Minister Saad Rafiq clarified that the airports are not being privatized but rather outsourcing operational responsibilities to well-known company International Finance Corporation (IFC). He emphasized that no civil aviation employee will be made redundant due to this arrangement.
During a press conference held at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Minister Saad Rafiq highlighted the challenges faced by the national airline, PIA, and stressed the necessity of restructuring the organization. He shared the story of a PIA plane being released within 72 hours, underscoring the issues faced by the national carrier.
The leasing of the Roosevelt Hotel and the outsourcing of airport operations reflect efforts to improve the financial and operational performance of PIA. Minister Saad Rafiq assured that the restructuring process is inevitable and aims to bring about positive changes in the organization.
