The board of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Monday announced the appointment of Adrian Hamilton-Manns as its chief executive officer (CEO).

In a press release, PIA said Hamilton-Manns “brings a wealth of leadership and strategic experience within the global aviation sector”, adding that his appointment “marks a pivotal chapter” in the airline’s ongoing transformation.

It said that he had managed three airlines as CEO and was considered a “world expert” in transforming and reviving airlines, with over 30 years of experience.

“As Hamilton-Manns assumes the role of CEO, the consortium and the entire management board extend their deepest gratitude to the outgoing CEO, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Amir Hayat, for his outstanding service and dedication to this vital national role,” the statement said.

It added that over his four-and-a-half-year tenure, Hayat’s leadership was “instrumental in navigating the airline through significant industry challenges”.

“His relentless efforts were central to initiating comprehensive structural reforms, optimising operational efficiencies and successfully preparing the airline for its highly anticipated privatisation phase,” it said.

“The foundation he has laid will be critical to the carrier’s future commercial viability and success,” it added.

The statement said that with Hamilton-Manns at the helm, PIA was confident that his extensive industry expertise would accelerate strategic objectives, elevate service standards and drive sustainable profitability in this new era.

According to Forbes Middle East, Hamilton-Manns was previously the CEO of Oman’s SalamAir and Kazakhstan-based FlyArystan. He also held roles at South African Airways and Virgin Australia.

The national flag carrier was privatised in December last year through an auction. A consortium led by Arif Habib Corporation Limited had won the auction for 75 per cent shares of PIA in December last year, making a winning bid of Rs135 billion.

The Arif Habib-led consortium, which took charge in June this year, had vowed to transform the loss-making airline through operational restructuring, fleet expansion, and improved customer service.

On Sunday, the carrier’s first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, acquired on lease last month, arrived in Islamabad from London as flight PK786. A PIA spokesperson said that the carrier was the first Pakistani airline to have added a Boeing 787-9 to its fleet.