Adrian Hamilton-Mons has become the new CEO of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
He has been working in civil aviation for almost three decades (since 1997). He began his career with Air New Zealand in New Zealand and Pacific Blue Airlines. He later held senior positions in airlines in Asia, Africa and the Middle East:
Was Senior Vice President of Commercial at South African Airways (South Africa).
Worked as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) during the launch of India's largest low-cost airline IndiGo in 2005-2006.
In 2012-2016 he was the founder and first CEO of the low cost transportation project in South Africa flyafrica.com.
In the years 2020-2024, he led the Kazakh low-cost company FlyArystan: first as the CEO of the division, and then as the president of a separate airline. At the subsidiary Air Astana he oversaw the scaling of the fleet and the launch of the low-cost airline for a separate operator's certificate.
In the years 2024-2026 he headed SalamAir of Oman, where he led the optimization of the route network and the expansion of the Airbus A320 family fleet.
The CEO change took place as part of PIA's restructuring after the transition to private ownership. The privatization of the airline ended with the transfer of 100% of the shares to a consortium led by the Pakistani investment group Arif Habib Corporation.
Hamilton-Mons replaces Air Vice Marshal Mohammad Amir Hait, who led the carrier since 2022 and oversaw preparations for privatization. The arrival of the expatriate marks a shift from the previous practice of appointing serving or retired Pakistan Air Force officers to head the PIA.
The new management must increase the fleet from 19 to 64 aircraft within eight years and restore the route network. In November the airline already operated its first leased Boeing 787-9, and in December it will return to the British market: it will launch direct flights Islamabad - Birmingham.