pia history in pics

http://www.historyofpia.com/greatshots.htm

Extraordinary, beautiful, rare and exciting action photographs of PIA airliners

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Airbus Industrie)

This beautiful photo shows PIA's first A310, AP-BDZ, during a pre-delivery test flight. Airbus delivered it to PIA on June 25, 1991

http://www.airbus.com/

http://www.historyofpia.com/greatshots.htm

Boeing 720-040B (Copyright © Boeing)

PIA's first Boeing 720-040B, AP-AMG, photographed during pre-delivery test flight in December 1961. AP-AMG was delivered to PIA on December 21, 1961 and introduced on Dacca-Karachi-Tehran-Geneva-Frankfurt-London route in

February 1962. Incidentally, AP-AMG on its delivery flight to Karachi on January 2, 1962, piloted by PIA's ace Captain Abdullah Baig, broke the world record for

the London-Karachi non-stop flight time. With representatives of FAI (Federation Aeronautique International) on board to monitor the official timings, AP-AMG completed the flight in 6 hours 43 minutes and 55 seconds, the record

which to this day remains unbroken!! This achievement symbolized the fledgling Pakistani airline's fighting spirit and urge to reach the top. PIA

operated AP-AMG until 1974 when it was leased (later sold) to Air Malta as 9H-AAM. The island airline continued flying B720s until 1989, but this particular aircraft (AP-AMG) was retired in 1981 and later used for fire practice at Luqa

Airport, Malta

http://www.boeing.com/

Boeing 742-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Boeing)

AP-BAK seen during a pre-delivery test flight in November of 1979. This Boeing 747 was introduced on PIA's long range routes

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Umar Anis)

This photo shows Economy Class cabin of AP-BGK. Umar took this photo on

mailto:[email protected]


March 26, 2004

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Alan Tsui)

Photographed by Alan Tsui, AP-BEC, "City of Swat" is taking off from runway 02L of Singapore's Changi Airport on April 05, 1999 for a flight back to Pakistan

http://fly.to/b777

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Muhammad Ali)

Beautiful photo of AP-BFW taken by Ali under perfect bright & sunny weather conditions at London-Heathrow Airport

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Amar Pervaz)

This excellent photo by Amar shows Business Class cabin of AP-BCO. The photo was taken on January 1, 2002 and the aircraft was flying from Pakistan's

capital city of Islamabad to the port city of Karachi


http://www.geocities.com/aerpakistan/

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Andreas Eriksson)

AP-BEB captured by Andreas burns rubber on runway 19R of Oslo-Gardermoen Airport as it brings in 180 passengers to Norway on May 20, 2000

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Chris Sheldon)

http://fwog.fly.to/


AP-BFV photographed by Chris is seen landing at Manchester-Ringway International Airport on May 5, 2000

Airbus A300B4-203 (Copyright © Umar Anis)

In this beautiful photo PIA Airbus A300B4 (AP-BAX) is on short finals for Malé Airport of Maldives Islands. The A300 on this flight was flown by Capt. Asad Ali

and his crew. Umar took this photo on August 26, 1993

Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation (Claudio Pedrazzini Collection)

This very rare air-to-air photograph of AP-AFS from early 1950s is in the collection of Claudio from Italy. AP-AFS was the third L-1049C Super

Constellation to join PIA fleet



Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Alan Tsui)

B-HIK of Cathay Pacific in full PIA livery was captured by Alan with spectacular background of rainy clouds and hills on April 24, 1999, the aircraft was flying a

test flight from Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok International Airport before its delivery to PIA as AP-BFV

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Dimperson)

AP-BCM photographed by Dimperson is seen leaving Moscow-Sheremetyevo International Airport, Russia, in October of 1995. In 1964 PIA became the first non-communist airline to fly a service between Asia and Europe via Moscow

http://fly.to/b777

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Mohammed Sadique)

Beautiful view of Afghan mountains captured by Sadique on December 8, 2003 from a PIA Boeing 747-367. This Pakistani 747 was flying from Manchester to

Islamabad

Airbus A300B4-203 (Copyright © Andrew Hunt)

The background looks very dramatic with rainy clouds and a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 on short finals as PIA's AP-BBV captured by Andrew gets ready at

Singapore's Changi Airport for a flight back to its home in Karachi

http://www.flightasia.com/


Boeing 707-340C (Copyright © Peter Goodearl)

This beautiful and rare color photo by Peter shows a PIA Boeing 707 gaining height after take off from London-Heathrow Airport in late 1960s

airliners

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Sunil Gupta)

Wheels up & landing gear doors fully closed; a very neat and clean take-off

http://www.lockonaviation.net/

http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/pgoodearl/fortune/adays.htm

shot! Sunil photographed AP-BCO, "City of Mardan", when it was departing from Washington-Dulles International Airport of USA in July of 1998

Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Chris Sheldon)

Taken by Chris, this superb action photo shows strong winds forcing AP-BAK to make a tricky landing on runway 24R of Manchester-Ringway International

Airport on October 31, 2001. According to Chris, it was a great landing to watch! and to be fair to the pilot it WAS a very blustery day

http://www.csdl17613.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Sunil Gupta)

A very nice close-up photo of AP-BCO, "City of Mardan". Sunil photographed it at Washington-Dulles International Airport, USA, in July of 1998. Note the specially designed sticker below cockpit windows. "City of Mardan" was

sporting this sticker to celebrate Pakistan's 50th anniversary of independence


Captured by Chris, AP-BAT lines up on runway 24L for departure from Manchester-Ringway International Airport on July 12, 2001

http://www.csdl17613.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/

http://www.lockonaviation.net/

Airbus A300B4-203 (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

Here is excellent photo taken by Aroosh from the flight deck of AP-BAZ. The A300 is climbing through 27,000 feet with an almost unbroken cloud layer

beneath it on its flight from Islamabad to Karachi




AP-BEC photographed by Andreas is seen approaching Oslo-Gardermoen Airport of Norway on a beautiful evening

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Shabaz Hashmi)

Flock of PIA birds photographed by Shabaz at Manchester Airport on September 19, 2004. The PIA aircraft seen in this photo from top to bottom are Boeing 777-240ER (AP-BGL), Boeing 747-367 (AP-BGG), Airbus A310-308 (AP-BEU) and Boeing 777-240ER (AP-BGK). AP-BEU had arrived from Pakistan with

Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf onboard. The President was going to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly session, he

continued his journey to USA on one of the PIA 777s seen in this photo

http://www.globalpia.net/


This excellent action photo taken by Andreas shows AP-BEC landing at Oslo-Gardermoen Airport of Norway on October 28, 2001. PIA's A310s have the

highest utilization of any A310 carrier worldwide, averaging over 4,200 flight hours per year


Boeing 747-200B (Copyright © Akram Ali)

Beautiful close-up photo of a PIA Boeing 747-200B taken by Akram in 1980s

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Muhammad Ali)

An excellent photo of AP-BGK flight deck taken by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport on May 14, 2004



Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Usman Shabbir)

AP-BFX is at Copenhagen Airport in this beautiful night shot taken by Usman on December 21, 2003. The aircraft is seen getting ready for its flight to

Islamabad

http://www.pakdef.info/

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Mohammed Younis)

A very beautiful photo taken by Younis during his recent visit to Pakistan. The PIA A310 was entering Pakistan's air space when this photo was taken

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

A fantastic high speed action photo taken by Aroosh. The aircraft was applying brakes after landing on Lahore airport's runway




A beautiful close-up shot of AP-BFU taken by Ali at London Heathrow Airport in April of 2004

Boeing 707-321 (Copyright © ATDB)

In this photo from Alexandre's Aero Transport Data Bank (ATDB) website

http://www.aerotransport.org/


Boeing 707 (registration G-AYBJ) is seen at East Midlands Airport. PIA flew this aircraft on lease from British Midland. The lease period started in November

1975 and ended in April of 1976. Note the shape and size of PIA logo applied on the fin is not very perfect

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Mohammed Younis)

In this beautiful photo AP-BEC is framed by a cabin window of AP-BGG. Younis took this photo on July 26, 2003 at Islamabad Airport


Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Saad Saeed)

Outstanding photo of PIA A310 taken by Saad at Frankfurt Airport on December 21, 2003. This aircraft was flying from Amsterdam to Lahore via Frankfurt

Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Amir Saeed Collection)

From Amir's collection this is beautiful official Boeing photo of PIA's first



Boeing 747-200 Combi, registration AP-BAK. Here AP-BAK is seen during it's pre-delivery test flight. Copies of this photo was given to all individuals on the delivery flight of AP-BAK, this photo was signed on its backside by S. Ajaz Ali,

Director of Corporate Development


Economy Class cabin of PIA Boeing 747-367. Sadique took this photo on December 8, 2003 during flight from Manchester to Islamabad



Tail section of AP-BFV. In the background, Boeing 747-240BM (registration AP-BAT) is taxiing out for departure. Ali took this beautiful photo at London-

Heathrow Airport

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Umar Anis)



AP-BEU was flying over Afghanistan when this excellent photo was taken by Umar on August 23, 2000

Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © ATDB)

A rare color photograph from Alexandre's Aero Transport Data Bank (ATDB) website. In this photo, AP-ATU is seen at Kabul Airport after arriving from

Peshawar in May of 1973

http://www.aerotransport.org/


This beautiful high quality photo taken by Chris shows AP-BAK climbing way after leaving Manchester-Ringway International Airport, UK, on December 10,

2001


Two of AP-BGG's four powerful Rolls Royce RB211 engines photographed by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport on August 17, 2004


http://fwog.fly.to/


From Amir's collection of rare PIA photos, here is another great photo of AP-BAK. The beautiful and elegant brand new Pakistani Boeing 747 is seen on the delivery line going through pre-delivery checks. The photo was taken at Boeing Facility in Everett, Washington, USA. AP-BAK was delivered to PIA in August of

1979

Boeing 707-340C (Frederick N. Ley Collection)

This very rare color photograph from 1966 belongs to Fred's collection. The photo shows AP-AUN after arriving at Karachi Airport, Pakistan. Note the PIA


air-hostess in early 1960s uniform ready to greet disembarking passengers. Also note the opened main cargo door of the forward upper fuselage; the 707

was used as a 'Combi' aircraft for this flight

Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Shabaz Hashmi)

Shabaz took this beautiful photo of AP-BAT at Manchester Airport. The aircraft was leaving for Lahore as flight PK-710


Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Amar Pervaz)

This beautiful photo by Amar shows Business Class cabin of AP-BFV. The aircraft was operating a flight from Karachi to London on January 01, 2002

Tupolev Tu-154M (Ajaz Karim Collection)


This extremely rare photo taken by Colin Ballentine belongs to Ajaz Karim's collection. The photo, taken on May 14, 1997, shows a PIA Tu-154M with

registration number 85711 at Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, Karachi, Pakistan. PIA acquired four Tu-154s, including 85711, on lease from Uzbekistan

Airways in late 1996 and used them for 'Hajj' operations, domestic flights in Pakistan and also for regional flights to Uzbekistan in Central Asia. These four

Tu-154s were contracted to be leased until 2001 but, for some technical reasons, lease contract was cancelled and all four aircraft were returned to

Uzbekistan Airways during summer of 1997

Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Umar Anis)

Capt. Khalid Ahmed waves to Umar Anis from the flight deck of AP-BAK. Umar took this photo at Frankfurt Airport, Germany, in September 1990


Boeing 720-047B (Shabaz Hashmi Collection)

This beautiful photo from Shabaz's collection shows AP-AXL on take off from Frankfurt Airport in early 1980s. AP-AXL was last Boeing 720B operated by PIA.

It was withdrawn from use and retired in 1986. Today AP-AXL can be seen preserved at PIA Planetarium in Lahore

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Mohammed Younis)

City of London is seen in this beautiful photo taken by Younis. The photo was


http://www.geocities.com/fly_pia/

taken from AP-BGG on July 26, 2003. Note if you watch carefully you can see the big London eye in this photo

Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Mohammed Sadique)

This excellent photo taken by Sadique shows AP-BAK descending to land on Runway 24R of Manchester Airport after completing its trans-Atlantic flight from New York on June 1, 2002. The 747 was flying at an altitude of 4,000ft

when Sadique took this photo early in the morning at 7:30AM



Interior of a well-kept PIA A310. Saad took this beautiful photo on December 21, 2003. This aircraft was flying from Amsterdam to Lahore via Frankfurt. It was

diverted to Karachi due to bad weather at Lahore on that day

de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter 300 (Ajaz Karim Collection)

This beautiful photo from Ajaz Karim's collection shows AP-AWG flying in happy mood over East Pakistan


Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Usman Shabbir)

Another excellent night photo of AP-BFX taken by Usman at Copenhagen Airport on December 21, 2003

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Mohammed Sadique)


http://www.pakdef.info/

In this beautiful close-up photo taken by Sadique, AP-BCL is seen taxiing out for departure from Manchester Airport on April 6, 2003. Note different shades

and patches of white paint on this ageing jumbo jetliner


Another very beautiful and rare photo from Amir's collection. Here in this official Boeing photograph, AP-BAK is seen on the delivery line going through

pre-delivery checks. The photo was taken at Boeing Facility in Everett, Washington, USA. AP-BAK was delivered to PIA in August of 1979



Sadique took this beautiful photo of Afghan mountains on December 8, 2003 from a PIA Boeing 747-367. This Pakistani 747 was flying from Manchester to

Islamabad

Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident 1E (Shabaz Hashmi Collection)

This beautiful and rare color photo from Shabaz's splendid collection shows PIA's very first Trident 1E, AP-ATK, at Switzerland's Dübendorf Air Force Base

in 1966. This aircraft was delivered to PIA on March 1, 1966

http://www.geocities.com/fly_pia/


Lockheed L-100-382B-4C Hercules (Ajaz Karim Collection)

This extremely rare photo from Ajaz Karim's collection shows AP-AUT of PIA. PIA operated two Lockheed L-100s, AP-AUT & AP-AUU, for a very short period

of time in 1966. Both of these transport aircraft were later transferred to Pakistan Air Force in 1966. AP-AUT still serves PAF and its air force serial

number is 64144

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Chris Sheldon)

Another excellent high quality action photograph by Chris. In this photo AP-BDZ is seen on take off from runway 15 of Birmingham Airport on January 7,

2003

http://fwog.fly.to/


Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Umar Anis)

AP-BEU flown by Capt. Omar Aziz is on short finals for Oslo Airport, Norway. Umar took this photo on August 23, 2000

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Umar Anis)

AP-BFU flown by Capt. Asif Abbas Raza and his crew is seen landing on runway 27L of London-Heathrow Airport. Umar took this photo on August 28,

1999. A 747-300 holds the record of operating PIA's longest non-stop commercial flight. PIA's Boeing 747-300 flight, carrying 149 passengers, landed at Islamabad Airport non-stop from New York in June of 1999 in just 12 hours

and 35 minutes



Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © Umar Anis)

PIA Fokker F-27 (registration AP-AXB) under the command of Capt. Asif Khan is approaching Gilgit Airport on October 5, 1998




Tail of AP-BGK photographed by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport on May 14, 2004

Boeing 707-340C (Copyright © Umar Anis)

Beautiful photo of AP-AXA taken by Umar at Lahore International Airport on March 31, 1987. The Boeing 707 was getting ready to operate PIA flight PK-305

from Lahore to Karachi. In the background you can see Lahore Airport's air traffic control (ATC) building



Beautiful view of Rolls Royce engines of AP-BGG. This photo was taken by Younis over Pakistan on July 26, 2003

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Peter Frei)

http://www.aerpix.net/


From Switzerland's Zurich-Kloten Airport, here's a series of beautiful photos of PIA Airbus A310-308 (registration AP-BEU) taken by Peter Frei on December 11,

2003. In this photo you can see AP-BEU on taxiway Romeo after overnight parking at Zurich-Kloten Airport. Peter took this photo at 08:23 AM, about two

minutes after sunrise


Here is the second photo of AP-BEU taken by Peter at Zurich-Kloten Airport on December 11, 2003. This photo was taken at 08:24 AM, when AP-BEU taxied head-on on taxiway Romeo. After years of absence, a PIA aircraft was finally seen again at Zurich, in the shape of this Airbus A310-308. The reason for its

visit was actually that Geneva Airport lacked parking space for it. It brought the Pakistani delegation led by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to the

World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held at Geneva in Switzerland. After unloading at Geneva, the aircraft flew to Zurich in the evening of

December 9, 2003, arriving here in complete darkness. On the morning of December 11, 2003 it ferried back to Geneva to pick-up the delegation



This is the third photo of AP-BEU taken by Peter at Zurich-Kloten Airport on the morning of December 11, 2003. This beautiful photo shows AP-BEU passing the

rising sun. What you can see on the ground is not snow, but ripe from a cold, clear night. At this time the aircraft had still only been partially been de-iced.

The crew was hurrying as it was anxious not to be in Geneva in time to pick up the delegation headed by Pakistan's Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali.

Full de-icing was later done en-route to the runway. Remember, the flight to Geneva is just 300 km, or about 25-30 minutes



Here is the fourth photo of AP-BEU taken by Peter at Zurich-Kloten Airport on December 11, 2003. The photo shows AP-BEU during take-off from runway 28

of Zurich-Kloten Airport. As you can see it was lifting-off early and climbed away very steeply, which is no wonder as the aircraft was empty. This photo

was taken at 08:42 AM, about 20 minutes after sunrise


This excellent quality photo taken by Ali shows brand new AP-BGJ at London-Heathrow Airport on February 8, 2004



Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Umar Anis)

In this excellent photo taken by Umar you can see powerful Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7A engine of AP-BCL. The 747 was flying over the Iranian capital city of

Tehran when Umar took this photo on December 20, 1992


This photo taken by Chris shows AP-BAK taking off from runway 24R of Manchester-Ringway International Airport, UK, on September 16, 2001

http://fwog.fly.to/



Another beautiful photo taken by Aroosh from the flight deck of AP-BAZ. The A300 was descending through 21,000 feet for landing at Karachi Airport when this photo was taken. Instruments and approach plate on captains yoke are explaining everything. This A300 was completing its flight from Islamabad


Saad took this excellent photo of a PIA A310 at Quaid-e-Azam International



Airport, Karachi, on December 22, 2003

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Moiz Hamid)

Moiz took this photo of AP-BGG at Jeddah Airport



Another photo of AP-BGJ cabin taken by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport on February 8, 2003

de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter (Copyright © Umar Anis)

This photo shows AP-BCH in 1990s livery at Islamabad International Airport. On the left side of this photo you can see the rear section of PIA Mil Mi-17

helicopter leased from Ukraine for a short period of time. Umar took this photo on December 30, 1995



Airbus A300B4-203 (Copyright © Umar Anis)

AP-BAZ flown by Capt. Asad Ali is approaching Nairobi Airport, Kenya. Umar took this photo on September 4, 1994

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Lee Collins)

In this beautiful photo taken by Lee, AP-BGL is seen getting water cannon salute at Manchester Airport on March 23, 2004. This aircraft had arrived from



Seattle on its delivery flight to PIA


Business Class cabin of a PIA Boeing 747-367. Sadique took this photo on December 8, 2003 during flight from Manchester to Islamabad


Another beautiful photograph of PIA A310 taken by Saad. Saad took this photo



at Frankfurt Airport on December 21, 2003


Pakistan's beautiful snow covered mountain peaks seen from the window of AP-BCA. Umar took this photo on August 27, 2000 during flight from Islamabad to Skardu. On this day AP-BCA was forced to return back to Islamabad due to

bad weather conditions at Skardu Airport

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Bill Brydon)


Excellent action photo of AP-BGJ taken by Bill at Manchester Airport

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Omar Hassan)

AP-BGJ Economy Class cabin photographed by Omar




Peter took this excellent quality photo of AP-BEU at Zurich-Kloten Airport on January 23, 2004

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Airbus Industrie)

Brand new AP-BDZ is seen on its pre-delivery flight over France. AP-BDZ was PIA's very first A310-300. It was delivered to PIA on June 25, 1991

http://www.airbus.com/


Powerful Rolls Royce engines of AP-BFY photographed by Umar on August 12, 1999


Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Shabaz Hashmi)

Shabaz took this beautiful photo of AP-BAT at Manchester Airport

Boeing 737-33A (Copyright © Umar Anis)

Capt. Allah Nawaz Khan in the flight deck of PIA Boeing 737-33A (registration AP-BEH) on February 10, 2001



Airbus A310-325ET (Copyright © Tim Hermans)

In this beautiful photo taken by Tim, you can see flight deck of AP-BGR



Freshly painted fuselage of AP-BGR captured by Tim inside the paint shop of Brussels Airport, Belgium


AP-BGR proudly sporting Pakistan flag on its fin. Tim took this photo inside the paint shop of Brussels Airport




Freshly painted AP-BGR captured by Tim seen inside the paint shop of Brussels Airport



Excellent photo of AP-BGG flight deck taken by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport


In this photo taken by Ali you can see Business Class seats on AP-BGG




AP-BGG Economy Class cabin view captured by Ali




Business Class section of AP-BGG is seen in this beautiful photo taken by Ali


Beautiful photo of AP-BGQ taken by Tim at Brussels Airport



Peter took this excellent photo of AP-BEU at Zurich-Kloten Airport on January 23, 2004


Tail of AP-BGQ photographed by Tim at Brussels Airport




Peter took this wonderful photo of AP-BEU at Zurich-Kloten Airport, Switzerland, on January 22, 2004. Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf

was aboard the aircraft when this photo was taken



AP-BFW is seen at London-Heathrow Airport in this excellent photo taken by Ali


Flight Engineer's work area on AP-BFW




Economy Class seats on AP-BFW photographed by Ali




Main deck galley on AP-BFW is seen in this photo taken by Ali


AP-BGR seen before painting of Pakistan Flag on its fin. Tim took this photo at Brussels Airport



AP-BGR photographed by Tim is seen inside the paint shop of Brussels Airport




Another beautiful photo of AP-BGK taken by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport


Galley on upper deck of AP-BFW is seen in this photo taken by Ali


Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Muhammad Ali)

AP-BAT photographed by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport



New Business Class seats of refurbished AP-BAT photographed by Ali



In this photo taken by Ali, you can see refurbished Economy Class section on AP-BAT




View of Business Class cabin on AP-BAT photographed by Ali


AP-BGQ photographed by Tim at Brussels Airport



View of Economy Class on upper deck of AP-BAT




In this interesting photo taken by Ali, AP-BAT is seen unloading its cargo of fresh Pakistani mangoes at London-Heathrow Airport


Ali took this close-up shot of AP-BFV at London-Heathrow Airport

http://www.historyofpia.com/greatshots31.htm



Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © Capt. Johnny Sadiq)

Excellent photo of a PIA F-27 returning from a Gilgit flight in 1967. This photo was taken from another F-27 that was flown by Capt. Johnny Sadiq


Fokker Fly-Past! PIA F-27 photographed in 1967 over the Northern Areas from another F-27 that was flown by Capt. Johnny Sadiq




Another view of that Fokker flying over the Northern Areas


A very beautiful photo from 1967. This photo was taken from the flight deck of PIA F-27 flown by Capt. Johnny Sadiq. The aircraft was on approach to Skardu

dirt runway




PIA Fokker F-27 under the command of Capt. Johnny Sadiq banks over Gilgit Airfield. They were looking at runway 07 but landed on Runway 25. Note the aircraft taking off from Runway 07. This beautiful photo was taken in 1967

Douglas DC-3 Dakota (Copyright © Capt. Johnny Sadiq)

PIA Fokker F-27 over "Point Victor" in the Indus Valley. Capt. Johnny Sadiq took this photo when he was flying as Co-Pilot to Capt. Zafar Khan on a PIA DC-



3. Later Capt. Zafar crashed on take-off from Chitral in a DC-3 and lost his leg in that accident

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Omar Hassan)

Neat and clean starboard wing of AP-BGJ photographed by Omar


Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Shabaz Hashmi)

AP-BFU photographed by Shabaz at Manchester Airport. Behind AP-BFU is Boeing 747-240BM, AP-BAT

Airbus A310-325ET (Copyright © Muhammad Ali)



Ali took this photo of AP-BGS flight deck at London-Heathrow Airport in year 2004

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Amaad Lone)

Amaad took this photo of AP-BEC flight deck at Karachi Airport in August of 2004. The aircraft had completed its flight from Lahore


Massive Rolls Royce RB211 engine of AP-BGG photographed by Ali at London-Heathrow Airport on August 17, 2004




Capt. Asif Abbas Raza seen at the controls of AP-BFY. The aircraft was taxiing at Manchester Airport when Umar took this photo

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

Aroosh took this beautiful photo from the flight deck of a PIA Boeing 747-367 during final approach to Islamabad Airport runway




Karachi Airport runway is seen in this photo taken by Aroosh from flight deck of AP-BAY


In this photo taken by Aroosh a PIA A300 makes turn towards the active runway of Lahore Airport for take-off



Karachi Airport (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

View of PIA aircraft maintenance hangars during take-off from Karachi Airport


Aroosh took this beautiful photo in the cockpit of a PIA Boeing 747-367 during final approach to Manchester Airport




A PIA Airbus A300B4 is seen completing its landing roll at Lahore Airport. Aroosh took this photo from the cockpit of another PIA A300B4


After completing test flight, AP-BAY is on final approach to Karachi Airport




Here is view of PIA Airbus A300 Electronics Bay captured by Aroosh. Electronics Bay is located directly beneath the cockpit in A300. From

Electronics Bay a ladder leads to cockpit through a hatch in A300's cockpit floor. In this photo you can see the Flight Engineer climbing the steps back up

to the cockpit


AP-BGJ viewed from flight deck of its sistership AP-BGL. Aroosh took this photo at Manchester Airport




A PIA Boeing 747-300 photographed from flight deck of another Boeing 747-300 of the airline. Aroosh took this photo at Islamabad Airport

Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Jamaal Hussain)

Jamaal took this photo of AP-BAK at Manchester Airport. Photo was taken from flight deck of a PIA Boeing 777-240ER



Airbus A310-324ET (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

AP-BGO viewed from flight deck of another PIA aircraft. Aroosh took this photo at Islamabad Airport. In this photo, AP-BGO is sporting short-lived original

version of PIA's current livery design

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Hasan Saleem)

Hasan took this beautiful photo of AP-BCL in early morning of March 31, 2005 at Lahore Airport




Aroosh took this beautiful photo of AP-BAY at Karachi Airport


AP-BFU seen seconds before landing at London-Heathrow Airport. Younis took this excellent photo on December 25, 2004



Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Jamaal Hussain)

Jamaal took this photo of AP-BGK at Manchester Airport


This superb photo taken by Aroosh shows AP-BGL making banked descent into Manchester Airport




Captain turns on AP-BGL's landing lights during final approach to Manchester Airport


Beautiful view of sunset from the flight deck of AP-BGO




A spectacular photo of AP-BGO flight deck taken by Aroosh


Here's a set of four beautiful photos taken by Aroosh at Karachi Airport in December 2004. In this set of photos you can see AP-BFW retracting her wing slats after landing at Karachi Airport. Note the amount of dust blown away by

outer starboard engine




Here's second photo of AP-BFW retracting its wing slats


This is third photo of AP-BFW retracting its wing slats




Fourth photo of AP-BFW completing its wing slats retraction


AP-BFY on short finals for London-Heathrow Airport. Younis took this excellent photo on March 12, 2005



Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

Aroosh took this photo of AP-BAK at Karachi Airport

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

PIA's very first A310, AP-BDZ, is seen on take-off in this photo taken by Aroosh at Karachi Airport




In this beautiful photo taken by Aroosh, you can see AP-BAY taking off from Karachi Airport


A beautiful close-up shot of AP-BAY taken by Aroosh at Karachi Airport. Note Fokker F-27 rotating for take-off in background




GE-90 engine of a PIA Boeing 777 inspected by airline's ground engineers at Karachi Airport


First Officer shutting down AP-BGL after landing at Manchester Airport. Note aircraft's reflection on terminal building




Set of PIA Boeing 747s photographed by Aroosh at Karachi Airport. The aircraft seen in this photo from left to right are: AP-BGG, AP-BFV and AP-BCL in 1990s

livery


AP-BGJ viewed from the flight deck of its sistership AP-BGL. Aroosh took this photo at Manchester Airport



Boeing 747-240B (SCD) (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

Close-up shot of AP-BAK tail taken by Aroosh at Karachi Airport. Behind AP-BAK you can see AP-BGG on take-off roll


AP-BGJ photographed by Aroosh at Karachi Airport. In background you can see A300, AP-BAX, being towed




This photo taken by Aroosh shows AP-BBV on take-off from Karachi Airport


Aroosh took this beautiful photo at Karachi Airport. Note enormous size of aircraft's General Electric GE-90 engine




AP-BGG taking-off from Karachi Airport


In this beautiful photo taken by Aroosh, you can see AP-BAY on take-off from Karachi Airport




Beautiful close-up shot of AP-BAY taken by Aroosh at Karachi Airport

Boeing 747-282B (Copyright © Hasan Saleem)

Hasan took this beautiful photo of AP-AYW in the morning of March 31, 2005 at Lahore Airport




A typical scene from Karachi Airport. In this photo you can see AP-BFV of PIA. Also seen in this photo are Airbus A320 of AirBlue and Tupolev Tu-154 of

Shaheen Air International


Here's another beautiful photo of AP-BAY taken by Aroosh at Karachi Airport




Aroosh took this photo of AP-BGO at Islamabad Airport. The Airbus is sporting original but short-lived version of PIA's current livery


This beautiful photo taken by Aroosh shows flight deck of PIA's brand new AP-BGL




Another photo of AP-BGL flight deck taken by Aroosh


This excellent photo taken by Aroosh shows AP-BGL on short finals for Manchester Airport




In this photo taken by Aroosh you can see AP-BGL seconds away from landing on runway 24R of Manchester Airport

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Fullthrust)

Beautiful view of Kathmandu from the flight deck window of AP-BEQ. On the right-side bottom corner of window you can see peak of 'Fan Marker Hill' where PIA Airbus A300B4 (registration AP-BCP) crashed on September 28, 1992. This

photo was taken during landing approach to Kathmandu Airport on June 30, 2000


Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Fullthrust)

AP-BEQ on short finals to Runway 02 of Kathmandu Airport, Nepal, on June 30, 2000

Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Inspiration)

In this photo you can see AP-BEQ backtracking Runway 02 after landing at Kathmandu Airport, Nepal. This photo was taken on June 30, 2000


This photo shows Karachi-bound AP-BEQ backtracking for Runway 02 for take off from Kathmandu Airport on June 30, 2000


AP-BEQ lined up on Runway 02 and cleared for take-off from Kathmandu Airport for flight to Karachi on June 30, 2000


Approach to Manchester Airport viewed from flight deck of a PIA Boeing 777-240ER. Aroosh took this photo on May 29, 2005

Boeing 777-240LR (Copyright © Adil Iqbal)

Adil took photo of this PIA Boeing 777-240LR (pre-delivery registration N6066Z) taking part in Paris Air Show on June 17, 2005. Note tails of Boeing 777-200LR customer airlines painted on fuselage of this aircraft. This Boeing 777 will be

delivered to PIA as AP-BGZ in January 2006 to operate non-stop flights between Pakistan and USA




This beautiful photo taken by Younis shows arrival of AP-BFX as flight PK-785 from Islamabad at London-Heathrow Airport on June 11, 2005


This photo taken by Younis shows AP-BFV arriving as flight PK-757 from Lahore at London-Heathrow Airport on June 11, 2005




This beautiful photo taken by Younis shows AP-BFX on take off from London-Heathrow Airport as flight PK-786 to Islamabad on June 11, 2005


Another beautiful photo showing departure of AP-BFX as flight PK-786 to Islamabad on London-Heathrow Airport on June 11, 2005




This high speed action photo shows AP-BFX arriving at London-Heathrow Airport on June 11, 2005 as flight PK-785 from Islamabad


Reflection of a PIA Boeing 777 on windows of Manchester Airport building. Aroosh took this beautiful photo on May 29, 2005




View of Islamabad Airport from the flight deck of a PIA Boeing 777


Runway 24R of Manchester Airport seen from the flight deck of a PIA Boeing 777-240ER seconds before landing. Aroosh took this photo on May 29, 2005




Landing at Islamabad Airport viewed from flight deck of a PIA Boeing 777


This excellent action photo taken by Aroosh shows AP-BFT landing at Karachi Airport




Pilots deploy spoilers and activate engine thrust reversers of AP-BFT after landing at Karachi Airport


This photo shows ground staff cleaning cockpit windows of a PIA Boeing 747-367. Aroosh took this beautiful photo at Allama Iqbal International Airport of

Lahore




Another photo showing ground staff cleaning cockpit windows of a PIA Boeing 747-367 parked at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport

Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © Ehsen Ali Qureshi)

Ehsen took this photo of AP-BCZ at Islamabad Airport on August 28, 2005



Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © Aroosh Naqvi)

A pair of PIA Fokkers, AP-BAO and AP-BCZ, are seen parked at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport in this photo taken by Aroosh


Beautiful front shot of AP-BCZ taken by Aroosh at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport in summer of 2005




AP-BCZ photographed by Aroosh at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. Note Ground Power Unit (GPU) cable attached to the aircraft

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Ghafoor Elahi)

Beautiful night photo of AP-BFX taken by Ghafoor at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark, on August 3, 2005. The Boeing 747 is seen ready for departure to

Lahore in this photo




A PIA Flight Engineer is seen making an inspection under the wing of AP-BFX parked at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark, on August 3, 2005. The Boeing 747 had arrived as flight PK-752 from Oslo and was getting ready for departure to

Lahore



Dusk time photo of AP-BFX taken by Ghafoor at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark, on August 3, 2005



Illuminated tail of AP-BFX photographed by Ghafoor on the evening of August 3, 2005 at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark

Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Moin J. Abbasi)

This amazing photo shows retired AP-BCM nearing death at Karachi Airport in 2002. In death, she seems almost wishing to reach for the skies. In the

background there's another PIA Boeing 747 (registration AP-BCN) going to be scrapped. Both these Boeing 747s were completely broken up by the end of

year 2002



Boeing 747-217B (Copyright © Moin J. Abbasi)

Another photo showing AP-BCM close to its death at Karachi Airport in 2002. The Boeing 747 along with its two sister ships (AP-AYV & AP-BCN) was sold to

a scrap dealer in August 2002

Airbus A310-324ET (Copyright © Ehsen Ali Qureshi)

Ehsen took this photo of AP-BGP at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark, on August 17, 2005




Beautiful photo of AP-BFX taken by Ghafoor at Copenhagen Airport, Denmark, on August 3, 2005


Boeing 747-282B (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Saad took this beautiful photo of AP-AYW on June 29, 2005 at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport. This ageing PIA Boeing 747 is parked and stored at

Lahore Airport since April 2005


Excellent close-up photo of one of four Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7A turbofan engines of AP-AYW. Saad took this photo at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005





Excellent close-up shot of AP-AYW taken by Saad at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005


Another beautiful close-up photo of AP-AYW taken by Saad at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Saad took this excellent action photo of AP-BGK at Toronto Airport on May 31,



2005

Airbus A310-325ET (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Saad took this action photo of AP-BGS at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005


Excellent close-up photo of Pratt & Whitney JT9D-7A turbofan engine of AP-AYW. Saad took this photo at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005




Nose gear of AP-AYW photographed by Saad at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005

Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Saad took this beautiful photo of AP-BDQ at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on June 29, 2005



Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Excellent action photo of AP-BFV taken by Saad at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005


Close-up shot of AP-BGL taken by Saad at Manchester Airport on June 21, 2005




Business Class cabin of AP-BGL photographed by Saad on June 22, 2005


Saad took this beautiful photo of AP-BGP on the night of July 29, 2005 at Karachi Airport




AP-BGR pushed back for departure. Saad took this excellent photo at Karachi Airport on July 29, 2005


Tail of AP-BGR photographed by Saad at Karachi Airport on July 29, 2005




AP-BGP tail photographed by Saad at Karachi Airport on July 29, 2005

Airbus A310-324ET (Copyright © Amaad Lone)

Flight deck of AP-BGN photographed by Amaad at Karachi Airport on August 26, 2005



Airbus A310-308 (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Saad took this beautiful photo of AP-BEG at Lahore Airport on July 27, 2005

Airbus A310-324ET (Copyright © Amaad Lone)

Cabin of AP-BGN photographed by Amaad on August 26, 2005. The A310 was flying from Lahore to Karachi




Saad took this excellent photo of AP-BGP at Karachi Airport on July 29, 2005


Saad took this excellent photo of AP-BFV at Karachi Airport on July 29, 2005




AP-BCB photographed by Saad at Lahore Airport on June 29, 2005

Boeing 737-33A (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

Saad took this excellent photo of AP-BEH at Lahore Airport on July 1, 2005



Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 200 (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

AP-BDB on approach to Karachi Airport. Saad took this photo on July 29, 2005

Boeing 747-367 (Copyright © Akram Ali)

A PIA Boeing 747-367 seen undergoing maintenance checks at airline's Ispahani wide-body aircraft hangar at Karachi Airport in September of 2005



Airbus A300B4-203 (Copyright © Akram Ali)

AP-BBV seen at Karachi Airport in August 2005. It is one of six air worthy PIA A300s grounded and parked at Karachi Airport since April 2005

Boeing 777-240ER (Copyright © Akram Ali)

AP-BGK photographed at Karachi Airport in August 2005



Airbus A310-324ET (Copyright © Akram Ali)

AP-BGP photographed on an evening at Islamabad Airport in summer of 2005


AP-BFV photographed at Islamabad Airport in summer of 2005



Airbus A310-325ET (Copyright © Akram Ali)

AP-BGS photographed at Karachi Airport in summer of 2005. In the background we can see PIA's Ispahani Hangar for wide-body airliners


A PIA Boeing 737-300 being prepared for another flight from Islamabad Airport in summer of 2005



The first airline from an Asian land country and the first airline from a Muslim country to fly the Super Constellation.

- The first Asian airline to operate a jet aircraft.- The first Asian airline to be granted maintenance

approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Air Registration Board, predecessor of the British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

- The first non-communist airline to fly to the People's Republic of China, and to operate a service between Asia and Europe via Moscow.

- The first airline in Asia to induct the new technology Boeing 737-300 aircraft.

- An IBM 1401, the first computer in Pakistan, was installed in PIA.

- The first airline to introduce a second route to People's Republic of China over the mighty Karakoram mountains.

- The first airline in the world to operate scheduled helicopter services.

- The first airline to show in-flight movies on international routes.

- PIA set up Pakistan's first planetarium at Karachi.- The first airline in South Asia to introduce auto-ticketing

facility.- The first airline in the world to fly to Tashkent, capital of

the newly independent state of Uzbekistan.- First airline in the world to start Air Safari with jet

aircraft.- First Asian airline to start flights to Oslo, the beautiful

capital city of Norway.

Historic Firsts Photo Gallery

Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation (Abbas Ali Collection)

This photo was taken on February 1, 1954 when Pakistan's ambassador to the United States was invited to officially accept the delivery of PIA's first Super

Constellation (AP-AFQ). With the delivery of AP-AFQ to PIA, Pakistan became the first Asian land country and the first Muslim country to fly the Super

Constellation. Six-and-a-half year old Sharon Owen - who is exactly the same age as Pakistan, born on August 14, 1947 - acted as honorary stewardess, helping show off the plane to the official party. In this photo, young Sharon

Owen is seen shaking hand with Syed Amjad Ali, Pakistan's ambassador to the United States. Looking on are Mrs. Amjad Ali, Robert E. Gross, president of

Lockheed, and Capt. Neville Hemsworth, PIA's Super Constellation pilot


Boeing 707-321 (Abbas Ali Collection)

PIA became the first Asian airline to operate a jetliner when it leased Boeing 707-321 (registration N723PA) "Clipper Viking" from Pan American World

Airways in 1960. "Clipper Viking" was leased out to PIA on February 09, 1960 for use from March 07, 1960 on the London service that was extended to New York on May 05, 1961. The aircraft was returned to Pan Am on December 12,

1962. In this photo, passengers are seen boarding N723PA at London Heathrow Airport. When this photo was taken, the Boeing 707 was operating PIA flight

PK-706 from London to Karachi via Rome, Beirut and Tehran

Arrival of PIA's first flight from China (Yawar Karim Collection)



PIA was the first non-communist airline to operate flights to the People's Republic of China. In this rare photo from 1964 in Yawar's collection, you can see the arrival of PIA's first flight from China at Dacca Airport, East Pakistan.

Yawar's grandfather Capt. Moinuddin Quraishi appears on the right side of this photo. The Chinese delegation was given warm welcome with flower garlands

as seen in the photo. PIA Boeing 720B jetliner used for this flight appears in the background of this photo


This photo shows AP-BDZ landing on runway 01R of Norway's Oslo-Gardermoen Airport on May 1, 2001. PIA became the first Asian airline to touch down in Norway when its Airbus A310-308 landed at Oslo's Gardermoen Airport on May 1, 1999. PIA commenced two weekly flights on Karachi-Oslo sector, via Lahore and Islamabad, respectively. On the return route, the flights are routed via Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, which was PIA's first destination in

Scandinavia two decades ago


Boeing 720-047B (Ajaz Karim Collection)

Pakistan's first planetarium was set up by PIA in Karachi. This photo from late Ajaz Karim's collection shows AP-AXM on display at PIA Planetarium in Karachi

Sikorsky S-61N (Rolf Helbig Collection)

This photo from Rolf's collection shows PIA S-61N helicopter sporting registration mark AP-AOA. PIA was the first airline in the world to operate

scheduled helicopter services. For short-haul operations in East Pakistan's delta region, based on Dacca, PIA set up a network of scheduled helicopter

routes, using three amphibious Sikorsky S-61Ns which were delivered between October 1963 and February 1964. The first revenue flight took place on

November 25, 1963, the first routes being to Khulna, center of the East Pakistan jute industry, and to Faridpur. The value of this new mode of transport lay in the

time saved, the 80-mile journey to Khulna, for example, taking 21 hours by surface travel and just 37 minutes by the helicopter. Faridpur, only 36 miles

from Dacca, derived even greater advantage by the reduction of journey time from 22 hours to 17 minutes! More than 20 points were served as the complete fleet became available. These services had to be switched to fixed wing aircraft in 1967 after two accidents reduced the S-61N fleet from three to one, although

by this time traffic had developed to a more worthwhile level to favor the construction of runways for fixed wing aircraft operations


Boeing 737-340 (Copyright © Boeing)

AP-BCE seen during a pre-delivery test flight in 1985. PIA was the first Asian operator of Boeing 737 series 300 aircraft. A total of six Boeing 737-340s were delivered to PIA between 1985 and 1986. These Boeing 737s replaced ageing

Boeing 720Bs on PIA's domestic and regional flights

Air Marshal Malik Nur Khan (Abbas Ali Collection)

In this photo from 1960, PIA's very first jetliner (a Boeing 707-321 leased from Pan Am) is taking gentle turn under the command of Malik Nur Khan. Nur Khan was PIA's Managing Director from 1959 to 1965. His success in establishing PIA



on a firm and profitable financial basis in six years is now a fact of airline history. Under his charismatic and inspirational leadership PIA became one of the leading and respected airlines of the world. Under his tenure PIA became

the first Asian airline to operate jet aircraft. The airline inducted modern Boeing 720B jet in its fleet. PIA started flying to China and flights to Europe via Moscow

were also launched during this period. In 1973 Nur Khan was specially requested by the government of Pakistan to resume control of PIA. During his second term as airline's head, PIA became operator of wide-body DC-10s and Boeing 747s. Popular Green & Gold aircraft livery was introduced plus many

more achievements were made by the airline under Nur Khan's leadership. He kept PIA out of Pakistan's turbulent political arena and returned it to a sound commercial basis. Nur Khan was a dynamic leader and believed in innovation

and new ideas

Air Hostess Momi Durrani (Photo Courtesy of Indian Aviation Magazine)

In this photo PIA's famous Air Hostess Momi Durrani is seen in airline's 1950s cabin crew uniform. Momi was one of PIA's highly trained, professional and

hard working cabin crew members of 1950s and 1960s. She was tall, fair with film-star looks. PIA had featured Momi in its many advertisements and it is said

that when she smiled, she made others smile. In short period of time she gained immense popularity and achieved status of a bright star and a legend in

PIA's glorious history. Momi was on duty aboard PIA Boeing 720B jetliner which crashed near Cairo Airport on May 20, 1965. Sadly, 114 people, including

Momi, died in this tragic accident

Capt. Abdullah Baig and Capt. Taimur Beg (Copyright © Aizaz Moin)

This photo is in the collection of Aizaz Moin. In this rare photo you can see PIA pilots who flew airline's brand new Boeing 720-040B (registration AP-AMG) on its record breaking delivery flight from London to Karachi on January 2, 1962. The flight was captained by Capt. Abdullah Baig. With representatives of FAI

(Federation Aeronautique International) on board to monitor the official timings, AP-AMG completed the flight in 6 hours 43 minutes and 55 seconds, the record

which to this day remains unbroken!! This achievement symbolized the fledgling Pakistani airline's fighting spirit and urge to reach the top. This photo was taken soon after the arrival of record breaking flight at Karachi Airport from

London. In the photo you can see PIA's ace pilot Captain Abdullah Baig (left) and his co-pilot Captain Taimur Beg (right). In those days PIA's policy was to

have 2 fully rated captains as pilot and co-pilot on jet flights. In the background you can see the record breaking PIA Boeing 720B (registration AP-AMG). This Boeing 720B jetliner was delivered to PIA on December 21, 1961 at Seattle and

flown by another crew to London from where Captain Abdullah Baig took command and broke the existing world speed record. On the left side of this

photo you can see Aizaz Moin's father Captain Moinuddin Quraishi. Incidentally Capt. Taimur Beg was also Capt. Moinuddin Quraishi's co-pilot when he

suffered a heart attack at Tehran in 1961. Capt. Taimur took command and flew the Boeing 707-321 (registration N723PA) to Karachi. This Boeing 707

(registration N723PA) was on lease from Pan Am and it had made PIA the first Asian airline to fly jetliner. Capt. Moinuddin Quraishi was one of the very first

Pakistani pilots to fly jetliners


From left to right: First Officer Johnny Sadiq, Operations Officer Hafeez and First Officer Baakza (Copyright © Capt. Johnny Sadiq)

This rare photo was taken at Rawalpindi Airport in 1962. If you take a closer look you can see a PIA DC-3 on take-off run in the background

After a short period of independence, Pakistan decided in 1951 that it needed a national flag carrier airline; the government of the country accordingly established Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in this role, and on 25 May ordered three examples of the Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation four-engined airliner as the new operator's initial equipment. PIA flew its first service with the Super Constellation on 07 June 1954 on the route linking Karachi and Dacca (now Dhaka), which were the main cities of the country's western and eastern halves, of which the later is now Bangladesh. On 1 February 1955 the airline flew its first international service, between Karachi and London via Cairo.

Lockheed L-1049C Super Constellation

AP-AFQ in 1950s livery (Abbas Ali Collection)



On 11 March 1955 PIA formally took over the assets and routes of another Pakistani operator, Orient Airways, which had in effect been part of PIA since October 1953. The consolidation of the two airlines meant that PIA could enlarge its domestic network with 11 Douglas DC-3 and two Convair CV-240 aircraft, which left the Super Constellation machines wholly free for international services.

Douglas DC-3 Dakota

AP-AAH in 1960s livery (Copyright © PIA)

Modernization of the fleet used for domestic and regional operations was now a matter of high priority, and in May 1956 the airline placed an order for three examples of the Vickers Viscount 815 four-turboprop airliner, the first of which was accepted in the UK on 2 January 1959 for a debut in revenue earning service on the service linking Karachi and Delhi on 31 January 1959. Further enhancement came in 1961 with debut of the Fokker F-27 Friendship twin-turboprop type, of which the first was received on 3 January 1961. The availability of the F-27 for operation on the routes linking the major Pakistani cities freed the DC-3 fleet for use on new services to the remoter parts of East Pakistan.

Vickers Viscount 815

AP-AJG in 1960s livery (Abbas Ali Collection)

PIA was the first Asian airline with pure-jet aircraft, in the form of a Boeing 707-321 machine leased from Pan American World Airways for use from 7 March 1960 on the London service that was extended to New York on 5 May 1961. On 21 December 1961 PIA began to receive its own jet aircraft when it took


http://www.piac.com.pk/

delivery of the first of three Boeing 720-040B aircraft, whose availability permitted the operator to enlarge its international route network.

Boeing 720-040B

AP-AMG in 1970s livery (Abbas Ali Collection)

In 1963 PIA called off its New York service, but on 29 April 1964 became the first non-communist airline to operate a service to the Chinese city of Shanghai. A notable feature of PIA's domestic routes in East Pakistan for some time was the helicopter services operated with Sikorsky S-61N's. PIA ordered four examples of the Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident 1E to replace Vickers Viscount 815s. First of these four Trident aircraft was accepted on 1 March 1966. The Trident aircraft were later sold to the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 1970. In 1971 East Pakistan secured its independence as Bangladesh, and PIA ceased operations to that country. The airline's fleet and network were both reduced, but the service to New York was resumed in 1972.

Hawker Siddeley HS.121 Trident 1E

AP-AUG in 1960s livery (Abbas Ali Collection)

The first wide-body airliner used by PIA was the McDonnell Douglas DC-10-30 three-turbofan type, which the airline first received on 1 March 1974. A pair of Boeing 747-282B four-turbofan aircraft (initially leased from TAP Air Portugal) followed in April 1976, and on 3 March 1980 the airline accepted its first Airbus A300B4-203 two-turbofan type. In 1985 PIA became the first Asian operator of Boeing 737-300 aircraft, a



total of six Boeing 737-300s were ordered to replace ageing Boeing 720B aircraft. PIA received first of its six Airbus A310-308 aircraft on 25 June 1991 from Airbus Industrie.

Boeing 747-282B

AP-AYW in 1980s livery (Copyright © Werner Fischdick)

In the first half of the year 1999, PIA acquired five Boeing 747-367 aircraft (initially leased from Cathay Pacific) for its European and North American destinations. In 2002 PIA signed an agreement with Boeing Company for the biggest aircraft deal in the history of PIA. After a dry spell of 10 years, PIA ordered new aircraft - 8 wide-body aircraft from the Boeing 777 family for its long-haul flights. The airline accepted delivery of its first Boeing 777-240ER aircraft at Boeing Field in Seattle, USA, on January 29, 2004. The A300, A310, Boeing 747 and Boeing 777 are currently the mainstays of PIA's medium- and long-haul operations, with feeder and local services provided by the Boeing 737-300 and Fokker F-27 Friendship.

Boeing 777-240ER

AP-BGK in new livery (Copyright © John Farrington)

Life has never been easy for PIA, as the flag carrier of a young and developing nation which has had an eventful history to date, but it is a worthy ambassador for Pakistan and its people. Its services and personnel have helped to make the country more widely known and her people better understood in a large part of the world.



http://www.historyofpia.com/unusualaircraft3.htm

Unusual Aircrafts

Douglas DC-8-21F (Copyright © Michel Gilliand)

Michel took this excellent quality photo of N819F at Le Bourget Airport-Paris, France, in December of 1977. PIA acquired this aircraft on lease from UAL on July 23, 1977. It was returned back to UAL on April 21, 1978. In this photo you

can see this DC-8 sporting basic livery of Overseas National Airways (ONA), its previous owner, with PIA titles

Boeing 707-323C (Copyright © Howard Chaloner)

This photo taken by Howard shows N8415 at John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, on August 20, 1981. PIA acquired this aircraft on lease from Overseas National Airways (ONA) from August 12, 1981 to November 16, 1981. This



http://www.historyofpia.com/unusualaircraft3.htm

Boeing 707 joined PIA again on lease from February 1982 to April 1982

Douglas DC-8-61CF (Copyright © Peter Frei)

This photograph taken by Peter shows DC-8-61CF freighter, registration N8960T, wearing hybrid PIA Cargo livery in 1977 at Zurich-Kloten Airport,

Switzerland. The DC-8 was acquired on lease for PIA's cargo flights

Airbus A300B4-203 (Ajaz Karim Collection)

This photo from late Ajaz Karim's shows an Airbus in very unusual PIA color scheme at Shannon Airport, Ireland. This A300 with Irish registration EI-TLL

was owned by TransAer International Airways of Dublin, Ireland. In this unusual livery, it was leased out to PIA on November 29, 1998 for 'Hajj' operations for a period of four months. PIA retuned this A300 to TransAer after the completion

of lease period in April of 1999


Douglas DC-8-61CF (Hans Resch Collection)

This beautiful photo from Hans' collection shows another DC-8, N810EV, obtained on lease by PIA. The DC-8, named "Store Road Ett", was seen with

very simple PIA titles applied on fin and fuselage with not very perfectly painted out titles of Overseas National Airways. This photo was taken at Frankfurt

Airport, Germany, in 1981

ATR 72-210 (Abbas Ali Collection)

This ATR 72-210, (registration F-WWLI) with PIA logo stickers arrived in Pakistan in the middle of 1990s to fly evaluation flights for PIA as a possible replacement of its Fokker F-27 aircraft fleet. PIA pilots tested capabilities of

ATR-72-210 and flew it on main Fokker F-27 routes including difficult and very demanding routes of northern mountainous region of Pakistan. F-27 fleet

replacement plan was cancelled later and ATR 72-210 turboprops were not bought by PIA



Douglas DC-8-32 (Copyright © Koos v d Heijden via Peter Frei)

PIA acquired this DC-8-32, N1776, on lease from United Air Leasing Corporation (UAL Corp.) on November 15, 1977 and returned it to UAL Corp. on April 21,

1978. The aircraft in above photograph was seen at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport during its days with PIA

Airbus A300B4-203 (Copyright © Torsten Maiwald)

This interesting photo taken by Torsten shows SU-BDF of Egypt Air wearing fuselage colors of PIA at Stuttgart-Echterdingen Airport, Germany, on May 30,

1992. In late 1990, this Airbus was intended to be leased to PIA, and was therefore painted up in full PIA livery at Cairo Airport. The deal, however, fell

through, and the aircraft remained with Egypt Air. Therefore the fuselage colors were left but tail logo was changed back to Egypt Air. As such it flew for the full

year of 1991, and only in 1992 it was repainted back into full Egypt Air livery



Douglas DC-8-21F (Copyright © Koos v d Heijden via Peter Frei)

DC-8-21, N819F, in hybrid PIA livery at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, circa 1977/1978. This aircraft was leased by UAL Corp. to PIA on July 23, 1977 and

returned to UAL on April 21, 1978. When this photo was taken, N819F was wearing basic livery of Overseas National Airways (ONA), its previous owner,

with PIA titles. Note another DC-8 leased to PIA parked behind N819F

Douglas DC-8-61CF (Copyright © Hans Resch)

This beautiful photo taken by Hans shows DC-8 freighter, N8960T, at Zurich-Kloten Airport, Switzerland, in September of 1977. PIA had obtained this aircraft on lease for cargo operations. The DC-8 sported green 'Pakistan International

Cargo' titles with blue cheatline of Loftleidir Icelandic Airlines



Douglas DC-8-61CF (1982 © via Peter Frei)

N810EV, "Store Road Ett" is seen at Marana-Pinal Park Airport of Arizona, USA, on November 22, 1982. The aircraft was seen with simple PIA titles applied on forward fuselage and fin with not very perfectly painted out titles of Overseas

National Airways

Douglas DC-8-21F (Copyright © Koos v d Heijden via Peter Frei)

DC-8-21, N819F, in hybrid PIA livery at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport, circa 1977/1978. This aircraft was leased by UAL Corp. to PIA on July 23, 1977 and

returned to UAL on April 21, 1978. When this photo was taken, N819F was wearing basic livery of Overseas National Airways (ONA), its previous owner,

with PIA titles. Note another DC-8 leased to PIA parked behind N819F



Douglas DC-8-61CF (Copyright © Hans Resch)

This beautiful photo taken by Hans shows DC-8 freighter, N8960T, at Zurich-Kloten Airport, Switzerland, in September of 1977. PIA had obtained this aircraft on lease for cargo operations. The DC-8 sported green 'Pakistan International

Cargo' titles with blue cheatline of Loftleidir Icelandic Airlines

Douglas DC-8-61CF (1982 © via Peter Frei)

N810EV, "Store Road Ett" is seen at Marana-Pinal Park Airport of Arizona, USA, on November 22, 1982. The aircraft was seen with simple PIA titles applied on forward fuselage and fin with not very perfectly painted out titles of Overseas

National Airways



Fokker F-27 Friendship Mk 500RF (Copyright © Saad Asad Cheema)

In 2005 PIA acquired two Fokker F-27 Mk 500RF aircrafts on dry lease from Expo Aviation of Sri Lanka. This photo taken at Karachi Airport on July 27, 2005 by Saad shows one of these two leased F-27s getting ready to operate another flight for PIA in this unusual all-white livery with Pakistani registration AP-BHF




pia history in pics

Documents

hawker siddeley hs

store road ett

copyright amar pervaz

business class seats

federation aeronautique international

overseas national airways

asif abbas raza

copyright sunil gupta