Airblue set to induct 4 new aircraft including two A330s

[Abbas Ali]

KARACHI (June 05, 2006): Airblue (www.airblue.com) is set to induct 4 new aircraft and will be the first Pakistani private airline to operate long haul flights to United Kingdom in its third year of operations, said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Operating Officer Airblue, in Lahore on Sunday.

He was addressing 40 corporate managers from Airblue's domestic and international network attending the airlines second Management Conference, "Blue-II Expanding Horizons" concluded here.

Abbasi emphasised that continued expansion was essential for the airline to continue surviving in the prevailing environment.

He said Airblue would be acquiring two Airbus A330s for UK operation, which are scheduled to be launched in December 2006.

Airblue will also be acquiring two Airbus A321s to further consolidate its domestic and regional schedule, he said, adding that in its third year of operation the airline would have a fleet of nine next-generation jet aircraft operating on a network of nearly one dozen destinations.

He pointed out that Airblue would be introducing a turbo prop operation on the socio-economic routes starting with a daily flight to Gwadar.

Source: Business Recorder

[PK777]

How much demand is there for Gawadar ? I mean at the moment how many flights or airlines operate there?

Maybe in the future there will be, but at the moment is there any need to operate there ?

[SteveUK]

What routes are they looking at for the U.K.?

[flyingsystem]

How much demand is there for Gawadar ? I mean at the moment how many flights or airlines operate there?

Maybe in the future there will be, but at the moment is there any need to operate there ?

In fact I think that its a rule or something like that, that each private airline have to fly on one socio-economic route. I read it once on an article posted by Abbas Bhai, is that correct Abbas???
...........and dont ask me why AeroAsia and Shaheen are not flying such routes!!!

[Abbas Ali]

In fact I think that its a rule or something like that, that each private airline have to fly on one socio-economic route. I read it once on an article posted by Abbas Bhai, is that correct Abbas???
...........and dont ask me why AeroAsia and Shaheen are not flying such routes!!!

Yes, that's true, it's a rule in Pakistan's National Aviation Policy. Here's what it says:

Eight destinations i.e. Chitral, Gilgit, Skardu, Gwadar, Panjgur, Turbat, Pasni and Jiwani may continue to be treated as socio economic routes and the fares may be deregulated.

Private airlines must service the following domestic routes as a minimum:

* Minimum of two trunk routes one of which should included Peshawar, Quetta, Multan or Faisalabad.


* Minimum of 2 frequencies per week on one socio economic or one tertiary route.

Complete Text of Pakistan's National Aviation Policy is on this link: http://www.caapakistan.com.pk/national.htm

[AP-BGL]

He pointed out that Airblue would be introducing a turbo prop operation on the socio-economic routes starting with a daily flight to Gwadar.

Maybe the Dash aircraft ad in the newspapers is targeting Airblue which is planning to induct turbo pops for those socio-economic routes.

Abbas Bhai, Question arises why do Aero Asia & Shaheen not flying any of the socio-economic route as per National Aviation Policy?

May be you could answer it

[PK777]

Thanks flyingsystem & Abbas for the information. I too was wondering why the do not operate to social-economic routes? I think the CAA have said either fly on social-economic routes or pay for not flying as a conpensation. Maybe that's why they have accumulated these charges ?

[inducedrag]

He was at PALPA dinner in Islamabad on 5th talking about giving a good package if some of them join