ISTANBUL: Pakistan’s national flag carrier and largest airline PIA, has renewed its business partnership with Turkish based airline technology leader Hitit, for a 2nd consecutive five-year term. PIA, which looked to change its legacy Passenger Service System (PSS), with a more robust and modern alternative, went into an agreement with Hitit in 2018. Hitit successfully took PIA into the digital age and at par with any modern airline of the world. The bond with the reservation technology provider continues to grow stronger with the original PSS Agreement now extended until 2028. Hitit and PIA’s long-term partnership has not only strengthened bond between both companies but has also afforded travel agencies in Pakistan with an experience of the full benefits of digital transformation.
The agreement was a continuity of a partnership that commenced in 2018, when PIA undertook next generation digital transformation using Hitit’s technology for reservation, ticketing, digital sales channels, revenue management and much more.
An elegant ceremony was held here at Istanbul, chaired by Ms. Nur Gökman, the Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Hitit, and AVM Muhammad Amir Hayat, Chief Executive Officer of PIA. The ceremony was also attended by the leadership teams of both companies. This strengthened partnership, which reinforces the historical bond between the two countries, taking it further in the dimensions of airline and travel technologies. The partnership provides significant gains for both the companies and overall improving Pakistan’s travel marketplace.
Air Marshal Muhammad Amir Hayat, CEO of PIA, while expressing his thoughts on the enduring collaboration with Hitit, stated “Both PIA and Hitit share, though short but an eventful history. In the journey of excellence, that spans five years, both parties have achieved a number of landmarks. During this course, we have defined our own internal milestones and we hope to meet them by expanding the network of PIA because as we grow, Hitit will also grow. We are exploring the avenues of expanding cordiality with cooperation of mutually rewarding consequence in similar ventures. I personally feel very strongly towards Hitit, as with its expanded consumer profile, the versatility of product would also increase; which in turn will be mutually beneficial for both the companies.”
Nur Gökman, Hitit’s Chairwoman of the Board of Directors and CEO, said: “Our collaboration with PIA has gone beyond merely selling airline software; it has ignited a digital transformation that encompasses various stakeholders within Pakistan’s aviation and travel industry. What initially commenced with PIA has now evolved into a vast ecosystem, inculcating travel agencies across the country in Pakistan and planning to expand the horizon in International Market as well.”
Emphasizing Pakistan’s pivotal role as a gateway to the Asian market, Ms. Gökman further stated: “The importance we attach to Pakistan, combined with our admiration for PIA’s deep-rooted history and achievements, has resulted in a very successful partnership. This partnership was further strengthened when Hitit opened an office and a Technology Center in Pakistan. For the second five years, Hitit Team is ready to serve with our growing enthusiasm and increasing technological capacity.”
