President Zardari Urges Need for Operation of Airbus A380 Flights Between UAE and Pakistan

[Abbas Ali]

On March 18, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari urged the need to increase collaboration in aviation industry to facilitate Pakistani diaspora in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) including the initiation of commercial flights of Airbus A380 aircraft. The President expressed these views while talking to the Ambassador of UAE to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zaabi who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad.



On July 8, 2018, Emirates operated special flight between Dubai and Islamabad with Airbus A380 aircraft.



Abbas

[Karachi Aviator]

He needs to stay away from things which don't concern him. His party has already caused enough damage to the aviation industry.

[b78709]

New twist is that now he is doing it while there is PMLN PM. So, it can be Sharif-Zardari JV.

[fahadshakeel]

New twist is that now he is doing it while there is PMLN PM. So, it can be Sharif-Zardari JV.

If they are that much concerned; Why don't this JV put together their own money (whatever the source is) to buy several A380s for PIA?

[Zulfiqar]

The president wants to fly Emirates A380 first class -
https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2024/0 ... ess-class/

The directive requires the president and the chief justice to travel in first class, while the prime minister, various chairpersons, ministers, military chiefs, and other high-ranking officials must use business class. Lower-ranking government employees are to travel in economy class.

Foreign trips are to be limited to essential visits, with economy class being the standard. Non-essential trips funded by the government need approval from an austerity committee established by the Ministry of Finance. The policy also discourages luxury accommodation and foreign travel with support staff, urging the use of local mission staff instead.

Teleconferencing is preferred for both essential and non-essential international meetings. Higher officials need the prime minister’s approval for overseas travel, while those below grade 20 require consent from their respective minister or secretary. Groups larger than three must obtain permission through the Foreign Office.

All foreign travel details must be reported to the Foreign Affairs Division and Pakistani missions. For the foreign ministry, trips with over five members need the prime minister’s approval. Concurrent foreign travel of ministry heads is restricted, with exceptions only in special cases.

Pakistan’s embassies are encouraged to represent the country at international meetings, with the Foreign Ministry coordinating these activities. Travel restrictions are imposed on cabinet members, with specific exemptions for the foreign and commerce ministers. All international trips involving financial institutions must have clearance from the Economic Affairs Division.

Guidelines for non-funded government workshops are to be developed, and personal solicitations for travel by government officials are prohibited. Certain officials, including National Security Committee members and provincial governors, cannot accept travel offers from foreign entities, except from UN agencies or the OIC.

Travel requests must be submitted to the prime minister two weeks in advance, detailing costs and providing a history of previous foreign travels.

[Hassan777]

With Zardari a new era of the destruction of Pakistani aviation industry seems to be on the horizon, especially now that Abu-Dhabi and Riyadh are their new America for financial aid. From airports to traffic, everything seems to be up for offer. Not to sound like conspiracy theorist but I think gulf countries especially UAE must've had a hand in the PIA banning of EU, they did become the biggest beneficiaries though. Riyadh air is also setting up shop and they must have eyes on Pakistani travelers who are forced to connect through the gulf to go anywhere now.

Maybe its time to say bye-bye to the dream of a flourishing Pakistan Aviation industry.

[contrails]

With Zardari a new era of the destruction of Pakistani aviation industry seems to be on the horizon, especially now that Abu-Dhabi and Riyadh are their new America for financial aid. From airports to traffic, everything seems to be up for offer. Not to sound like conspiracy theorist but I think gulf countries especially UAE must've had a hand in the PIA banning of EU, they did become the biggest beneficiaries though. Riyadh air is also setting up shop and they must have eyes on Pakistani travelers who are forced to connect through the gulf to go anywhere now.

Maybe its time to say bye-bye to the dream of a flourishing Pakistan Aviation industry.

Ive already posted this theory of yours before. The downfall of pia was probably fostered by these big ME carriers as well. You never know.

[faisal-777]

With Zardari a new era of the destruction of Pakistani aviation industry seems to be on the horizon, especially now that Abu-Dhabi and Riyadh are their new America for financial aid. From airports to traffic, everything seems to be up for offer. Not to sound like conspiracy theorist but I think gulf countries especially UAE must've had a hand in the PIA banning of EU, they did become the biggest beneficiaries though. Riyadh air is also setting up shop and they must have eyes on Pakistani travelers who are forced to connect through the gulf to go anywhere now.

Maybe its time to say bye-bye to the dream of a flourishing Pakistan Aviation industry.

I do not understand how big is Pakistani market for these ME carriers in terms of revenue, with depreciating currency. It wont be a long time before we see USD go above 300 PKR. Volume-wise yes its a key market but dont understand the logic that ME carriers want to cash on Pakistani travel market when the revenue in USD is at risk. And capacity wise, tickets are getting expensive and soon the numbers will stagnate.

[faisal-777]

Also A380 for Pakistani airport handling is a disaster. Unless it is forced to operate at a time of low traffic, it will result in long waiting times at each step. Passengers not just for A380 but those on flights around same time should come maybe 5 hours before departure. So no, this wont be a value addition for passengers.

Also the flight is less than 3 hours from Pakistani northern destinations to DXB. An A380 wont prove to be a much improvement in terms of comfort over 777. On a medium or long haul, yes id take a flight with A380 anyday over other widebodies.

[contrails]

Also A380 for Pakistani airport handling is a disaster. Unless it is forced to operate at a time of low traffic, it will result in long waiting times at each step. Passengers not just for A380 but those on flights around same time should come maybe 5 hours before departure. So no, this wont be a value addition for passengers.

Also the flight is less than 3 hours from Pakistani northern destinations to DXB. An A380 wont prove to be a much improvement in terms of comfort over 777. On a medium or long haul, yes id take a flight with A380 anyday over other widebodies.

Very well said.

[AviationLover2020]

On a medium or long haul, yes id take a flight with A380 anyday over other widebodies.

I wouldn't actually. EK's high-density A380 is absolutely terrible. The narrowest seats and the least legroom I've experienced on any widebody aircraft.

[Tuti Fruiti]

the A380 gates at ISB airport are getting wasted...read somewhere that whole A380 boarding infrastructure at an airport cost as much as a Boeing 737...so its very expensive piece of equipment being un-used..

[faisal-777]

On a medium or long haul, yes id take a flight with A380 anyday over other widebodies.

I wouldn't actually. EK's high-density A380 is absolutely terrible. The narrowest seats and the least legroom I've experienced on any widebody aircraft.

Definitely better than QR Dreamliner. I traveled a medium haul 5h two times on EK A380 - didnt get this feeling. However on QR Dreamliners, one can actually get feeling of sitting on a plane of LCC.

[fahadshakeel]

I haven't travelled much on A380 except I used to take EY100 or EY101 between AUH-JFK before covid quite frequently. My experience from JFK Terminal 4 was always rough because of long queues at checkin / luggage (sometimes beyond 90mins to reach first counter).

Reminding all those experiences it's a nightmare to me at Pakistani airports where the whole process takes sometimes upto 3 hours when there are 2-3 parallel wide-body airliners are in processing especially in hajj season.

That's why I gave up at QR and EK because I travel from Lahore and always prefer evening flight EY244 for most of US or EU travels. It's always narrow body a321 and in parallel there are no major widebodies processing except SV737 for Riyyadh on couple days.

I believe Lahore and Karachi are worst airports for A380 and don't know about Islamabad. With my experience I believe these airports becomes bottle necks not because of infrastructure but the mind-set of public as well as administration.

Administration & Management at airports (all departments) are very relaxed and don't bother to organize & process passengers in expedited way. They still give protocols for certain passengers.
On the other hand; passengers always believe on Hit & Trials. A lot of people comes with missing documents, extra baggage, currency issues, carrying restricted items in baggage and unconventional packings. These problems are around the world but in Lahore & Karachi is very frequent. If I am not wrong then probably every 3rd passenger comes across any of above situation. Before everything I always blame an equal reason of delays to those groups sometimes in buses who come to drop off just one passenger causing chocking on entry/exits.

My friends; though being a muslim we believe in Ijmah but collectively we try to take an unfair advantage from others or crowd. This mind set has to be changed before we wish to make even bigger groups of flying.

[murtaza12]

On a medium or long haul, yes id take a flight with A380 anyday over other widebodies.

I wouldn't actually. EK's high-density A380 is absolutely terrible. The narrowest seats and the least legroom I've experienced on any widebody aircraft.

The seats in the 2-class A380 are no different than all the other A380s. What are you talking about?