To cater to the demand on this sector, the Airline will induct two Airbuses A-321 by the middle of January 26, 2006. The induction of new aircraft would strengthen the existing fleet of the Airline comprising A-320 aircraft.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Air Blue told the Business Recorder here on Tuesday that the aircraft had been acquired through the International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) on dry lease for five years.
The Airline, he said, was compelled to enter into this deal in view of the growing demand of travelling public. It had earlier added one A-320 on wet lease for three month to accommodate the growing number of travellers.
A-321 has a 210 all economy configurations but the number of seats have been reduced to provide more comfort to the travelling public. The aircraft have been redesigned to accommodate 24 first class and 158 economy class passengers.
Abbasi brushed aside the argument that Pakistan market was not big enough to have more carriers, operating on the same routes, besides PIA. He said Pakistan was a growing market. The very fact that Air Blue carries 500 to 600 passengers daily to Dubai from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad should be good enough to silence the pessimists who look at ground realities with a jaundiced eye.
"The market is there. What really required is the correct market analysis, approach and planning on the part of the Airlines to harness the clientele in picking up the right carrier," he said.
The Air Blue CEO said that as part of Airline's ambitious expansion plans, two new A-330 had been purchased on down payment from Messrs. Airbus would join the Air Blue fleet either in 2007 or by the end of 2008. A-330 offers superior payload/range capability and greater cargo volume on medium capacity routes to extended range operations.
The market position is pretty tight and A-330 is not readily available in the market. Till such time A-330 are delivered, "we are looking for other options like A-310, B-767 and A-300-600," he said.
Since under the Air Services Agreement (ASA) between Pakistan and United Kingdom there is no restriction on the number of carriers, which could operate between the two countries. Air Blue has been designated as the second Pakistani carrier to under operations to UK. It is understood that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has already forwarded its recommendations to the Ministry of Defence in this connection.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority would be informed about government's decision by the Ministry of Defence in a couple of days to facilitate Air Blue plan its operations accordingly.
Syed Nasir Ali, Director Commercial, Air Blue who was also present during the meeting said that Air Blue was the only carrier, which was current on dues. There is nothing outstanding as regards CAA charges or fuel payments.
About UK operations, he said that the decision to go to Manchester was taken because no slots were available either at Heathrow or Gatewick. Besides, majority of Pakistanis living in cities close to Manchester and it would be convenient for them to travel to Pakistan.
Is that possible for an A321 to fly direct from ISB-MAN-ISB?To cater to the demand on this sector, the Airline will induct two Airbuses A-321 by the middle of January 26, 2006
