Pakistan's airline AirBlue begins flights to Gwadar by mid-June
'Pakistan Times' National News Desk

KARACHI: Pakistan’s most favourite airline in the private sector — AirBlue sets-off its marvellous service to the swiftly developing coastal city of Gwadar in the province of Balochistan within a fortnight.

Chief Operating Officer of Airblue Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told ‘Pakistan Times’ [PakistanTimes.net] on Tuesday that the magnificent airline AirBlue is expected to start its service to Gwadar by mid of June.

“We will start with two flights daily using two 19-seater Beach craft planes 1900C acquired by the airline from a local company JC Air”, he said.

AirBlue will be operating on this sector—fulfilling the government’s aspirations to provide optimal facilities to Balochistan province through multiple development plans—with focus on giving impetus to the socio-economic activities—being carried out in Gwadar, which would be a hub of business a short time to come.

Besides, operating—in highly safe, satisfactory and successful style on diverse routes within Pakistan—AirBlue has become a highly popular airline among passengers, travelling overseas, especially to the United Arab Emirates [UAE].

Likewise, in addition to many new destinations, the AirBlue has decided to start its’ service to the United Kingdom [UK]—as well to facilitate overseas Pakistanis enjoy the unique hospitality of the airline.

Modalities to this effect are being worked out and an exact date for the commencement of AirBlue service to the new destination—UK is expected to be announced shortly.

Perspective

As reported earlier, President Pervez Musharraf has directed adherence to top international standards in realisation of facilities at the Gwadar deep sea port.

Speaking at a meeting in Rawalpindi which reviewed progress on development of the port, the President said the important national asset would be a vital factor in turning Pakistan into a hub of regional trade.

The President underlined that timely completion of the port on modern lines would bring tremendous benefits to the local populace as well as to national economy. Prime Minister Shauakt Aziz also attended the meeting.

General Pervez Musharraf said, “we must put in place high quality of shipping services and connect the port to the upper parts of the country with an elaborate network of road and railway infrastructure.”

The President said, “at the same time we should ensure better allied infrastructure in the form of information technology, housing, hotel and business facilities at the port.”

He said the regional countries look up to Pakistan to serve as a trade and energy corridor between Central Asia, South Asia, the Gulf and rapidly progressing Western parts of China.

He particularly outlined the impact of large-scale economic activity the port is to witness and directed the Ministry of Ports to encourage maximum employment of the local people.

The President emphasized that the local people should be trained to acquire skills needed for running operations of the port on modern lines to ensure that the multi billion rupee project reduces poverty and opens up new avenues of growth for the people of Balochistan.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Aziz said the government will facilitate the private sector in starting of business activity at Gwadar adding that a number of incentives are being offered to investors.

He said that construction of Gwadar airport on modern lines will help facilitate foreign and local entrepreneurs in making use of investment opportunities in the region.

Minister for Shipping and Ports, Babar Khan Ghauri said the work on realisation of state-of-the-art facilities at the Gwadar port is underway on fast-track basis.

He said a number of foreign and local investors have shown keen interest in business opportunities at the port and in the development of allied communication infrastructure.●