Karachi’s Airport Hotel embarks on strategic transformation

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Airport Hotel in Karachi has embarked on a new era of revitalization and strategic growth under the ownership of PIA Holdings, marking its transition from direct management by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag-carrier. 

Muhammad Asim, General Manager, Airport Hotel, flanked by Deputy General Manager, Agha Aftab, and Marketing Manager, Fiza Javed, briefed a group of journalists about the initiatives taken in the recent past for uplifting the facilities. 

Azeem Qureshi, a renowned hotelier and tourism promoter, was also present on the occasion. 

The top office-bearers of the Karachi Editors Club, Mubashir Mir (President) and Syed Manzar Hussain Naqvi (Secretary), were present on the occasion alongwith fellow veteran members like Agha Masood Hussain, Khurshid Hyder, Iqbal Jamil and Syed Khalid Mahmood. They actively participated in the ensuing lively discussion.

A video presentation showcased newly renovated room categories, with special focus on the premium Corporate Club rooms, which boast elegant interiors and garden-facing views. 

The hotel is now fully equipped to host a variety of large-scale events, from weddings to business functions, with banquet capacity for 250 guests, a garden space for 150, and a poolside area capable of accommodating up to 600 people. 

“The hotel is now operating with increased autonomy and a renewed commitment to excellence. This is not just a change in ownership but it represents a complete transformation in service, infrastructure, and guest experience. Under PIA Holdings, we are adopting international standards and prioritizing customer satisfaction to restore the hotel’s legacy and appeal to today’s travellers,” Muhammad Asim, General Manager, Airport Hotel, announced in his opening remarks. 

It was explained that the hotel had once flourished, particularly from 1984 to 1990, due to high volumes of international transit passengers. However, changing travel trends, particularly the growth of Islamabad as a transit hub, led to a decline. 

Over the past two years, comprehensive internal reforms have been implemented. They have repositioned the hotel to focus on commercial and corporate clientele, treating transit business as a valuable addition. 

Drawing from their prior experience with PIA, the management team has overhauled operational procedures, enhanced service quality, and introduced structured systems, including the establishment of boardrooms, well-defined Policies, SOPs, JDs, ERP Modules and improved maintenance protocols. 

The expired licenses have been renewed, and new standards are being introduced to meet contemporary hospitality expectations. ISO Quality and Management Certification and Halal Certification for Food & Beverage department are also underway. 

The hotel currently features 208 rooms, including corporate rooms, suites, and standard rooms, and is seeking new investment to further elevate its offerings. As many as 101 rooms are being renovated at the moment. 

“With the right investment and a clear strategy, we are confident that this property can become a model of corporate hospitality,” the General Manager declared with hints of conviction. 

Spread across six acres, the hotel currently operates as a 3-star facility. However, plans are already underway to upgrade it to a 4-star status, building on the momentum of recent improvements and consistently positive guest feedback. 

The media briefing was followed by a guided tour of the upgraded facilities and it was agreed in principle to be made available at exclusively discounted prices for members and guests of the Karachi Editors Club.