Which Airbus has been handed over to PAF by Qatar Airways???

[raihans]

Will this A310 (all-white) be painted in similar paint scheme as the B737 was?


Copyrights Propfreak / Airliners.net

And Abbas any info, for its new reg. with PAF or CAA Pak?

[Abbas Ali]

Since this A310 is donated to PAF, it's going to sport PAF markings and air force aircraft serial number. PAF's No.12 is responsible for transporting VVIPs and VVIP Boeing 707 (serial# 68-19635 - click here to see photo) was part of this squadron. So, I think, this A310 will join No. 12 squadron of PAF.

As far as PAF aircraft serial number format is concerned, it's usually combination of aircraft's year of manufacture & construction number. So, I guess the PAF serial number for this A310 would be 89-473. Hopefully the aircraft will be painted in PAF markings at PIA facilities in Karachi.

[ConnieMan]

I think its disgusting that the government of Pakistan is accepting an 18 year old A310 as a gift/donation from the Qatar Government.

I think accepting such a gift is humilating.

Howcome this A310 was not donated to Bangladesh or Somalia.

Why must you make a ruckus out of everything. It was a "gift" there is no shame in accepting a gift. Why must the gift that is given suddenly be equated to everything else?

Its a gift for crying out loud!!! No need to complicate things.

Babushka99,

I'm with you on this one, for sometime i have been noticing this negative attitude from Ammad, why he is like this most of time i don't know but its starting to bother others on here now too, Guy just relax and take it easy will ya, no need to be so negative all the time, look at the bright side as few others also mentioned, now least PIA's Own A310s will not be pulled out and will generate ravinue for the airline specially in these very severe though times.

I think its very noble and good gesture from Qater government to Pakistan, Pakistan also deserves to be gifted when Pakistan stands out to help other airlines or nations when they get in tough times, so its ok.

[Abbas Ali]

Babushka99,

I'm with you on this one, for sometime i have been noticing this negative attitude from Ammad, why he is like this most of time i don't know but its starting to bother others on here now too, Guy just relax and take it easy will ya, no need to be so negative all the time, look at the bright side as few others also mentioned,

Amaad has just expressed his views on this issue and there's nothing wrong with it. Everyone has the right to have different views on an issue.

[Abbas Ali]

ISLAMABAD - February 25: A special Airbus A310, gifted by Qatar to Pakistan Air Force, on its arrival at the Chaklala Air Base on Sunday. The 89-seat plane, that was being used by the Qatar Airways for VIP flights, is fully equipped with all facilities including a small conference room and ready for flight without additional changes - Image & Info Source: DAWN

[trikko]

Its an amiri aircraft, gifted to PM of Pakistan for VIP Flights. Qatar airways had only 1 A310, which was used only for VIP flights so basically its a brand new airplane with less hours of flying time and being an Amiri AIrcraft it was maintained very well.

Getting as a gift is definitely a blessing, saved lot of money.

[CombiFan]

Spot on Behramjee. There is no such thing as a free 310.

[cpt_747]

I agree with Abbas.
ConnieMan, I have noticed that you sometimes try to control what others should / shouldn't say. You cannot decide what others have to say. Being critic about something is not a bad thing; we praise Pakistan and PIA when it needs to be praised. Amaad hasn't committed an offence by criticising the donation of their old & used A310. Why couldn't they give one of their A330s or even A320s? A gift from oil rich country like Qatar has to be somewhat new (in age & technology) and I don't think it's free of charge but that’s something we'd find out when the time is right.

Everybody has the right to express their opinions about whatever the issue that bothers them and that’s what makes us all different, interesting & beautiful. If you don't like someone's response, need not saying anything as this leads to the serious arguments. So, lets keep this forum a friendly place.
And finally, I don't have anything against you other than what I have mentioned above so no hard feelings.

[TAILWIND]

Karz ki peete the mai aur samajhte the ke haan.....rang lai gi hamari faqa masti eik din

wow that brings our VVIP and VIP fleet to 13:
1 Airbus 310
1 G-IV (PAF for President/PM)
1 Cessna Citation V (Army for President)
1 Cessna Citation Excel (PAF for PM)
1 Learjet 35 (BAluchistan)
1 Learjet 45 XR (Sindh)
1 Raytheon Hawker 400 (Punjab)
1 Falcon 20 (PAF)
1 Cessna Conquest II (Sindh)
3 Bell 412 Helicopters (2 Federal Govt, 1 Sindh)
1 MI-17 Helicopter (punjab)

GREAT PEOPLE TO FLY ON.......TAXPAYERS MONEY

[Moin]

Ohhhh so this a/c was never previously used by QR as a pax a/c, then converted to VIP use but was manufactured exclusively as a VIP a/c?? In that case I say bring it on!!!

I was under the impression that this was one of QR's ex-pax A310's that they converted for VIP use. In that case this a/c is probably one of the very few A310's in existence that has some of the lowest flying hours on it. Couple that with the fact that its already fully furnished and equipped with a VIP interior, all that it will cost the Govt here is for painting it in the PAF livery. Not a bad deal in the least. Every little bit helps.

Also the fact that the A310 is already a major presence in the PIA fleet, maintenance (or lack of, considering the current state of affairs!) won't be a problem. It wouldn't have made sense getting an A330 or AB6 as none of our local airlines operate the type.

In the long run, this a/c will save money for the Govt and PIA, as none of PIA's own A310's will be required to be pulled out of revenue service, refitted, sit idle at foreign airports for days for the duration of the foreign trip and then refitted back to pax configuration, all of which would cost a substantial amount of money.

I also seriously doubt that our Govt would actually go to the lengths of asking for this a/c as a gift. They do have more pride than that.

This gesture I'm sure will benefit not only our Govt but QR as well as the Govt will most certainly entertain any request for route expansion in Pakistan that QR might be looking at.

[DEZI]

if this is indeed true, QR's CEO in exchange should have asked the Pak Govt the rights to fly daily from DOH to ISB/LHE and PEW nonstop from DOH.

Behramjee. You are so right. The gift to PAF is in fact a gift to CAA who regulate / control the traffic rights into Pakistan Airspace. These people have contempt for the people of Pakistan. They will sell a Rs 100,000 item for 'chaar anna.'

[Abbas Ali]

Ohhhh so this a/c was never previously used by QR as a pax a/c, then converted to VIP use but was manufactured exclusively as a VIP a/c?? In that case I say bring it on!!!

The A310-304 (c/n 473) was manufactured as a passenger aircraft in 1989 and served Somali Airlines and then Alyemen before joining Qatar Airways fleet (Qatar Amiri Flight) in 1998.

Photo 1 - Airbus A310-304 (c/n 473) in Somali Airlines livery

Photo 2 - Airbus A310-304 (c/n 473) in Alyemen livery

More info on following link posted by raihans

Here is further more for A7-AAF:
http://www.airfleets.net/ficheapp/plane-a310-473.htm

[CoyBoy]

The A320 family would also enable QR to open more Pakistani cities like Multan, Faisalabad, Quetta if allowed.

[Charliedelta11]

is it even remotely possible that the A310 was given to the govt. of Pakistan because theres an under the table deal goling on between the Govt. of Pak and Qatar airways fro the privatisation of PIA ?
I'm saying this because Sino-pak relations are much better than qatar-pak relations..and well..they've never given our govt. any widebody as a GIFT...
and i doubt any of our high ups would go to qatar and beg for a widebody for private use..when they could just deepen our debt and buy one!

[CoyBoy]

Alyemen?? I have a photo of theirs under the name Alyemda same livery but different tail logo.