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ISLAMABAD: With zestful plans to provide excellent, proficient, cozy and comfy service to travelers – at home and abroad – Pakistan’s fast growing new generation largest airline in the private sector – airblue – sets-off service to two new overseas destination – Sharjah and Abu Dhabi from next month – December.
The service to Sharjah is being initiated from the Lahore, the Punjab metropolis as well as Islamabad, the Federal Capital.
While the flights on Lahore - Sharjah - Lahore circuit shall begin on December 01, the Islamabad - Sharjah – Islamabad service is scheduled to be launched with effect from December 15.
Yet, another destination being introduced by AirBlue is Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The airblue flights to Abu Dhabi shall commence from Islamabad on December 15.
Amid its mounting popularity and to meet the traveling needs of people from all segments of society – AirBlue – has decided to explore optimal destinations, Syed Nasir Ali Managing Director of the magnificent airline told ‘Pakistan Times’ [ISSN-certified daily e-Newspaper] on Saturday.
We feel optimistic of grand success with the new venture as well, he said by adding; not only that the service is being set in motion on peoples’ intense demand – the fare shall also be competetive and affordable.
He expressed optimism that still more new destinations shall be introduced by AirBlue in Pakistan as well as countries to the East.
At present, in addition to several destinations in Pakistan – AirBlue operates flights to Manchester in UK – as well as to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates [UAE] and to Muscat.Oman.
Increase the number of flights is also being contemplated in the light of the increasing digit of patrons – the clients, who have extended unique acclaim and ovation for the airline – and that too in a short span of time, Syed Nasir Ali said.
Listing yet another marvelous accomplishment of airblue, the Managing Director said; ‘Our next destination in UK is going to be London’.
Expectantly, it shall begin shortly’, he said and added; initial task for this venture is almost complete.
The airblue boss said; top priority is being given to providing a competetive product on international as well as domestic destinations.
Hence, we have had placed order for the purchase of 14 A320 aircraft – which shall be delivered to airblue by the manufacturers after every 3 months starting from July 2009 – taking almost 3 years for completion of the deal.
Though, A-321-200 is doing very well – yet we want to induct larger aircrafts into AirBlue fleet – to facilitate best possible number of the desirous customers, Syed Nasir Ali said. The deal is expected to be worth between $400 million and $700 million, he said.
"The airline wishes to put in its fleet of carriers short-to medium-haul aircraft," he said.
About other destinations, he said; in addition to Dubai in UAE and Manchester in UK – AirBlue plans to introduce flights to Amman in Jordan. Negations for this plan are on and are likely to get finalized in due course.
Endorsing the views, earlier expressed by airblue Chief Operating Officer Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in an interview with 'Pakistan Times' [Daily e-Newspaper], Syed Nasir Ali said; AirBlue believes in having a fleet of entirely brand new aircrafts – to ensure silky-smooth take-offs and landings by most talented and experienced pilots, absolute comfort, convenience and matchless in-flight service with wonderful hospitality as its hallmark for the travelers – by elegant, nice, cordial and graceful cabin crew.
The splendid airblue, which started operations in 2004, is one of the country's apex private carriers. airblue currently flies to a variety of cities in Pakistan, as well as to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Manchester in Britain.
It currently operates three A320s, three A321s and two A319s.
‘Pakistan Times’ [Daily e-Newspaper] understands that the airline has encouraging prospects for growth in Europe and the Middle East with more flights being planned to UK, UAE as well as in Pakistan.
AirBlue is a private sector airline with Head Offices in Karachi. It is Pakistan's second largest airline with almost over 20% share of the domestic market.
AirBlue operates scheduled flights – almost over 20 daily linking domestic destinations and international services.
AirBlue currently serves the following destinations.
Domestic: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar.
International: United Arab Emirates; Dubai, and now Sharjah and Abu Dhabi
United Kingdom: Manchester, Trabzon; (Trabzon Airport) in Turkey is refueling stop only, Muscat, Oman.
AirBlue plans a large-scale expansion from 2009 onwards. The new planned destinations include Bangkok, Copenhagen, Dhaka, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, London-Gatwick, Mumbai, Muscat, Oslo and Singapore. |