RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI (January 25 2006): Italian all cargo carrier, Ocean Airways (OA), has started commercial operations to Lahore from its operational base at Brescia Monthichiari, near Milan, Italy.
The service, which started last month, will operate B747-200F twice a week. The OA has signed an agreement with Karachi-based Gul Aviation as its cargo General Sales Agent (GSA) for Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is currently representing Das Air Cargo, China Southern Airlines and SN Brussels Cargo in Pakistan.
Ocean Airlines Commercial Director Michele Useli has said that though Pakistan is a new market, it is extremely competitive in high tech sector, textile and leather goods industries. Considering an enormous potential for further growth, he said:"We considered it an important strategic move to provide our customers with a direct connection between the industrial heart of Northern Italy and this rapidly developing country."
It will also be a major step to help improve the image of Lahore in particular and Pakistan in general, and would encourage other European carriers to look at Lahore as their direct access to Pakistan market. Since no European airline currently operated to Lahore, the OA's initiative might result in an increase in our foreign trade and direct investment, he said.
Gul Aviation Chief Executive Officer Imran Paracha said that in the recent months, the OA had operated a number of flights to Pakistan, carrying relief supplies for the earthquake victims.
The OA would have the flights on Thursdays and Sundays, he said, adding that on its first commercial flight, it mostly brought spare parts and machinery for Pakistan's thriving textile industry.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2006
http://www.oceanairlines.com/
could have come up with better name
