Mashallah. This is good news. With continuing economic growth, additional domestic competion, and hopefully opening for additional international destinations, this should give PIA a run for its money (or should I say run for its losses )
Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
Pakistan’s private airline Airblue plans to buy between eight and 14 new passenger jets, with the company choosing between Airbus A320s or new generation Boeing 737s, the airline said on Thursday.
The company will decide within the next two months, Airblue Chief Operating Officer Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told reporters.
The deal is expected to be worth between $400 million (Ð296 million) and $700 million (Ð519 million), he said.
“The airline needs short- to medium-haul aircraft,” he said.
Airblue, which started operations in 2004, is one of the country’s two private domestic carriers. State-run Pakistan International Airlines dominates the country’s passenger and cargo markets.
Airblue currently flies to seven Pakistani cities, as well as to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Manchester in Britain. It currently operates six A320s.
The airline has good prospects for growth in Europe and the Middle East, Abbasi said, with more flights being planned to Dubai and Manchester.
Pakistan’s air traffic market is tiny. Aviation experts believe it could grow with the economy, which is expected to expand 7.2 percent in the current fiscal year.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
I think that PIA is deliberately being run into the ground. The government should privatise it as soon as possible. The business that should belongs to PIA is going elsewhere because they simply don't have sufficient capacity, in domestic or international markets. They don't seem keen on increasing their capacity which is effectively handing business to their competitors on a plate. Instead of increasing capacity they seem more keen on increasing their fares, this may work in the short term but will hurt them badly in the long-run.
The market will grow substantially over the next few years especially the domestic market, as people there become more affluent.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
^ what competitors. Airlines dont even wanna flow to PAk
PIA is the only airline that has 5000 employees per aircraft. Its a padded list of employees with a pathetic customer service. Its a disgrace to the nation. pisses me off.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
In the domestic market Air Blue and Shaheen are making good progress. Internationally I think Gulf and Emirates are capitalising on the lack of capacity of PIA.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
^ what competitors. Airlines dont even wanna flow to PAk
PIA is the only airline that has 5000 employees per aircraft. Its a padded list of employees with a pathetic customer service. Its a disgrace to the nation. pisses me off.
I hear you criticizing. What steps should they take, specifically? I'm curious.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
Another carrier by name of Vision Air has been approved by CAA, ops about to start hopefully soon, just some deliberate glitches by CAA at the moment it seems. Initially its a cargo service, plans for passenger flights in pipeline.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
very good news
very curious when read the name of CEO cause that smae person once CEO of PIA too. and MNA /minister as well.
He couldnt manage PIA but running Air Blue successfully. makes you wonder!
PIA has only way to progress, privatise this giant. for God sake this is same airline that was very best during 50's and 60's. they had uniforms designed by Armani when they were at peak in the region.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
very good news
very curious when read the name of CEO cause that smae person once CEO of PIA too. and MNA /minister as well.
He couldnt manage PIA but running Air Blue successfully. makes you wonder!
PIA has only way to progress, privatise this giant. for God sake this is same airline that was very best during 50's and 60's. they had uniforms designed by Armani when they were at peak in the region.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is a very competent dude. He taught me Operations Management and he knows what he is doing. Problem with PIA was that the plans he had could not be implemented due to bureaucracy. Air Blue on the other hand is a paperless organization.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
First time I travelled by Air Blue returning from Islamabad to Karachi, I got food poisoned. :) But I don't hold that against them, especially as I find their service far better than those nakhray baaz budian that serve you on PIA.
Re: Pakistan’s Airblue to buy up to 14 new aircraft.
PIA is actually losing millions a month.. Yesterday I heard they are suspending their Chicago flights from septemebr and are even thinking of canceling or restriciting their service to New York...
As far as I know, they have already canceled service to London...
They sold that Roosevelt hotel recently way below the going price...
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