HYDERABAD: President Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) Masood Pervez has said that red tape is creating hindrance in the resumption of air service from Hyderabad and demanded removal of the hurdle.

“Despite assuring required business from Hyderabad, the airlines are delaying resumption of service from Hyderabad airport,” he said while addressing the opening of a branch of Polani Travel.

He said denying air service from Hyderabad airport was injustice with the people and business community of Hyderabad.

He quoted the officials of civil aviation authority as saying that facility for small planes is available at Hyderabad airport, which is the only small airport that has night landing facility.

Masood Pervez said that it is observed that planes have made emergency landing in Hyderabad and passengers have been boarded in buses for their onward journey to Karachi.

He quoted director Civil Aviation Authority as telling a chamber delegation that there is no hindrance in resuming flights from Hyderabad.

HCCI president urged the airline companies to start flights from Hyderabad to Lahore, Islamabad, Sukkur and Larkana and assured complete support of HCCI in this regard.

Speaking at the occasion, the host of the programme Yahya Polani said that Hyderabad is located at an impressive location as small airports are necessary near the international airports.

He said that he would talk to the Pakistan International Airlines for resumption of flights from Hyderabad airport.

He assured better services for passengers of Hyderabad within their city through providing reservation and booking for up country and international flights.

Large number of business community members including HCCI Azizuddin Arain, Amin Khatri, Iqbal Ghousia, MNA Pervez Qureshi, MPA Naeem Ishtiaq, MPA Abdul Rehman Rajput and others attended the programme.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=15476

EDIT by kbboy: Aviation Industry Part I (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=241601&page=1)


Why? Is he supposed to be good?

I like seeing religious minorities in high positions in Pakistan - makes me think Pakistan is more tolerant than I sometimes think it is.

I like seeing religious minorities in high positions in Pakistan - makes me think Pakistan is more tolerant than I sometimes think it is.

Pakistan is more tolerant, than what many people think.

Pakistan is more tolerant, than what many people think.

It is more tolerant than people think. This really didn't get much coverage, but a Pakistan Hindu was recently appointed adviser to control all the Madrasaas in Pakistan.

Amar Lal is the Prime Minister of Pakistan's advisor to minority affairs in the country. He was recently appointed by Muhammadmian Soomro as special adviser to the control of madrassas in Pakistan

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C01%5C10%5Cstory_10-1-2008_pg1_6

^^ not to forget justice bhagwandaas...not that it has anything to do with aviation.

Tuesday, 15 January 2008

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to finalize necessary arrangements for starting direct flight from Sialkot to Kuwait shortly. This was stated by Chief Executive Sialkot International Airport Khawar Anwar Khawaja. At present PIA was already successfully operating two flights weekly from Sialkot to Karachi while third flight would operational early next on the same route. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is taking the step keeping in view the highly encouraging response of passengers, he said.

Khawar Khawaja further said that foreign investors constantly are showing their keen interest to invest in different projects including the construction of a five star hotel near Sialkot International Airport.

The functioning of airport in this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry of the country would not only opening new vista of development, foreign investment and industrial development but it would help further accelerate the pace of trade commerce activities, he added.

The airport will not only cater the needs of golden industrial triangle of Sialkot, Gujranwala and Gujrat but also generate thousands employment opportunities, he added. It may be mentioned that most modern Apron having the parking capacity for six wide-bodies aircraft or three airbus plus F-27 aircraft had been constructed at the airport. Besides 3600-metre long, 45-metre wide taxiway had been constructed.

The longest international runway of the country measuring 3.6-km had been constructed and it will cater the requirement of all aircraft used for international and domestic cargo and passenger traffic. The professionally designed International Airport has been developed over 1004 acres and fully equipped for handling B747-400, A300 and 737 aircraft.

The potential traffic forecast for Sialkot international airport is scaled down at the time of opening to 53,0339 passengers a year while estimated cargo tonnage at the time of opening is expected to be 28515 tons.

This means that by the end of year 2012 about 53,000 tones of cargo will be lifted from Sialkot International Airport. Due to the provision of passenger facilities at Sialkot International Airport, it was estimated that the general public would benefit to the tune of over Rs 2 billion in terms of time and money savings. Similarly, cargo handling at the airport would save more than Rs 1 billion for the businesses.

Source: Unique Pakistan




http://www.historyofpia.com/board/january_08/skt_jan28.jpg

Good news, even with scaled down forecasts.

Didn't know that SIA was already operational, hopefully it will fully take off and help trade further.

I wonder why they didn't start flights to Dubai from Sialkot. I'm guessing Kuwait has a lot of Sialkotis.

guys, does anyone know anything about PIA and if/when it will be privatised

i doubt if the politicians will let go of PIA.. how else will Musharraf be able to divert a plane load of people enroute to nyc-jfk to boston to see his son...

i heard airblue is doing good.. new planes.. "beautiful" service..

^ Actually many of the PIA employees and shareholders are against privatization as well. I doubt it's going to be anytime soon.

AirBlue is the fastest growing airline in Pakistan now. This is the first time PIA hasn't been on the list, infact there was no list before since PIA had a monopoly but AirBlue is doing really good.

Can't wait to see those dreamliners in AirBlue colours! :)

Of course PIA emloyees would be against privatization. Who wants to lose his job?

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Article/2008/01/30/001/30_01_2008_001_015.jpg

guys, does anyone know anything about PIA and if/when it will be privatised


Honestly, if PIA is ever privatized, I think it will be too later to salvage it by that time. PIA's problem isn't that its a government owned entity, its just so incredibly inefficient - I really wish we could take a lesson from Singapore on this one! PIA seriously needs to fire over half of its workforce, and retrain the other half before its fortunes can turn around. And chances are that if it were ever to be privatized, the airline would have some stipulation in there saying that the new company couldnt fire any of the current workers, of which the airline has far too many.

AirBlue Growth Beats PIA On Domestic Routes

By By Saad Hasan
1/8/2008

KARACHI: The number of domestic passengers who preferred travelling in private airline Airblue has grown whereas the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is losing its popularity, data compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed.

According to provisional aviation statistics for the year 2006-07, Airblue carried 1.4 million passengers in 2006-07, up around 7.7 per cent from previous year’s 1.3 million it carried between different cities of Pakistan. The PIA, faced with accumulated losses of more than Rs35 billion, lost domestic market share by 5.7 per cent as it carried five million passengers compared to 5.3 million during the period under review. “Airblue has capitalised on Aero Asia clientele,” said an industry official. “The market lost by Aero Asia in the last couple of years has been taken over by Airblue.”

After more than a decade of successful operations, Aero Asia was barred from flying by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in May last year owing to safety concerns. Aero Asia carried more than one million passengers in fiscal 2004-05 but the number shrank to 756,308 in the following year and dropped to 278,900 in 2006-07. In contrast, Airblue, which started with only 22,320 passengers in 2003-04, carried 1.4 million passengers in the last fiscal year.

“Besides, PIA has suffered from a very bad punctuality record in the last couple of years,” continued the official who requested not to be named. “This irregularity and financial woes of PIA have also worked to the advantage of Airblue.” The private carrier has also emerged as a leader in introducing innovation in the aviation industry of the country. It brought the self check-in facility at its Karachi’s hub of Jinnah International Airport whereby passengers with baggage obtain a boarding card through the touch screen menu without needing to report to the counter.

The concept of booking-first-to-get-the-lowest-fare has also contributed to advance of Airblue in gaining the market share. PIA is now following the suit and has adopted the same strategy. Airblue with its six A320 and A321 aircraft was also able to ride the tide of rising fuel cost, which bankrupted many airlines across the world.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the Chief Executive Officer and the brain behind the success of the private airline is confident that future fuel-related price shocks would be sustained. “We are in a phase of growth,” he told The News. “With aggressive revenue management and increasing the number of passengers we will make through this period.” However, he hinted that few cost elements would be passed on in fares and others would be absorbed through operation of the aircraft on profitable routes.

Around 305,370 passengers travelled by Shaheen Air International (SAI) in 2006-07 as compared to 55,670 in the previous year. On the international front, PIA carried 3.59 million passengers in 2006-07, Airblue 237,170 and SAI 198,067. Except for the flag carrier, the two domestic airlines have registered growth in previous year.

Source: The News

CEO of AirBlue is running for NA from Muree on PML-N's ticket wonder what impact thats going to have on AirBlue after the elections

CEO of AirBlue is running for NA from Muree on PML-N's ticket wonder what impact thats going to have on AirBlue after the elections
I lost all respect for him.

I dont think you can, can you?

EDIT: I meant run for elections while being employed.

Its a private co.

You cannot run if you're holding a govt. job

Its a private co.

You can run if you're holding a govt. job

Correction: You cannot run if you're holding a govt. job

yeah...lol

I was doing the hectic negotiations (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=18103249&postcount=127). at the same time.

KARACHI: Pakistani airlines can now operate unlimited number of flights to anywhere in England including London’s busy Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, a top Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official told The News on Thursday.

An amended air services agreement has also enabled national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and private airlines Airblue and Shaheen Air to pick passengers from intermediary stops in Middle Eastern and European countries en route to UK, he said.

“England has this sort of arrangement with only a few countries,” he said, citing the air traffic congestion that the country faces especially at Heathrow and Gatwick. “Not even India has this facility.”

The agreement was struck between January 23 and 24 when Pakistani aviation authority officials led by Maj Gen Mir Haider Ali Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, met their English counterpart to decide on 10 articles of an air services treaty that covers the broader European region.

It also allows English and other European airlines to operate unlimited number of flights to Pakistan from England. Under a new European Union (EU) regulation, airlines from its 27-member states can use each other’s routes, the CAA official said, requesting not to be named.

Under the agreement, Pakistani airlines can operate unlimited number of flights beyond UK but only six flights a week that allows them to pick passengers from UK for onward destinations. However, these flights cannot be run via Heathrow and Gatwick.

Airlines operating from UK will have unlimited access beyond Pakistan but they can operate only six flights in a week whereby they can pick traffic from intermediary stops on way to Pakistan.

Pakistan witnessed a rising interest of foreign carriers last year after the new management of CAA decided to liberalize country’s airspace to facilitate the increasing passenger traffic. Number of passengers who used Pakistani airports increased to 14.6 million in 2005-06 from 13.5 million a year earlier.

During 2007, the country remained in the spotlight of airlines based in England, where a sizable population of Pakistani origin lives. British Airways increased its operations from three weekly flights to six between Islamabad and London.

Astreaus and European Air charter, the two low cost carriers of UK, were designated to operate services between the two countries. Another English carrier UK International Airline started flights from Nottingham to Islamabad via Sharjah with twice weekly frequencies.

Vargin Atlantic, also of UK, has shown its intent to commence operations in Pakistan from summer. British Midland of UK has also been designated to operate to Pakistan. Air Arabia of United Arab Emirates (UAE) commenced operations to Karachi and Peshawar from Sharjah while Etihad airways increased its Karachi and Peshawar operations.

Another UAE carrier Ras-al-Khaima (RAK) has requested for designations in Pakistan. After a gap of nine years, German carrier Lufthansa recommenced its operations with three weekly flights in winter. Oman air also recommenced its operations while Malaysian Airline launched its fourth flight to Karachi.

Airblue marked a watershed in aviation history of the country by becoming the first private Pakistani airline to start flights to Manchester last June. Its request for designation to Turkey, Jordan and Sri Lanka has already been approved.

Shaheen Air International (SAI) will commence operations to Bradford, UK, from February 7. They have also requested for starting operations to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Singapore Airline recommenced its operations with three weekly frequencies between Singapore and Pakistan with co-terminal rights at Karachi and Lahore.

Air Italy the second carrier of Italy has been designated to operate to Pakistan. Al-Jazeera the second carrier of Kuwait has been designated to operate between Kuwait and Pakistan. GMG the second airline of Bangladesh has been designated to operate to Pakistan.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=93996

Pakistan International Airlines' new schedule would greatly benefit the people here in terms of time as well as money. According to District Sales Manager RYK Shahid Ahmed Noon, for the first time flights from the district to Islamabad have been scheduled five days a week and from RYK to Karachi and Lahore on daily basis. "People had to spend Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,700 extra if they wanted to travel to Islamabad as it was via Lahore, involving change of flight also", elaborated the official.

http://www.uniquepakistan.com/news/economy/new-pakistan-international-airlines-schedule-for-rahim-yar-khan-20080131.html

Correction: You cannot run if you're holding a govt. job

Unless you are a Army Chief :nuts:

KARACHI: Pakistani airlines can now operate unlimited number of flights to anywhere in England including London’s busy Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted airports, a top Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) official told The News on Thursday.

An amended air services agreement has also enabled national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and private airlines Airblue and Shaheen Air to pick passengers from intermediary stops in Middle Eastern and European countries en route to UK, he said.

“England has this sort of arrangement with only a few countries,” he said, citing the air traffic congestion that the country faces especially at Heathrow and Gatwick. “Not even India has this facility.”

The agreement was struck between January 23 and 24 when Pakistani aviation authority officials led by Maj Gen Mir Haider Ali Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Defence, met their English counterpart to decide on 10 articles of an air services treaty that covers the broader European region.

It also allows English and other European airlines to operate unlimited number of flights to Pakistan from England. Under a new European Union (EU) regulation, airlines from its 27-member states can use each other’s routes, the CAA official said, requesting not to be named.

Under the agreement, Pakistani airlines can operate unlimited number of flights beyond UK but only six flights a week that allows them to pick passengers from UK for onward destinations. However, these flights cannot be run via Heathrow and Gatwick.

Airlines operating from UK will have unlimited access beyond Pakistan but they can operate only six flights in a week whereby they can pick traffic from intermediary stops on way to Pakistan.

Pakistan witnessed a rising interest of foreign carriers last year after the new management of CAA decided to liberalize country’s airspace to facilitate the increasing passenger traffic. Number of passengers who used Pakistani airports increased to 14.6 million in 2005-06 from 13.5 million a year earlier.

During 2007, the country remained in the spotlight of airlines based in England, where a sizable population of Pakistani origin lives. British Airways increased its operations from three weekly flights to six between Islamabad and London.

Astreaus and European Air charter, the two low cost carriers of UK, were designated to operate services between the two countries. Another English carrier UK International Airline started flights from Nottingham to Islamabad via Sharjah with twice weekly frequencies.

Vargin Atlantic, also of UK, has shown its intent to commence operations in Pakistan from summer. British Midland of UK has also been designated to operate to Pakistan. Air Arabia of United Arab Emirates (UAE) commenced operations to Karachi and Peshawar from Sharjah while Etihad airways increased its Karachi and Peshawar operations.

Another UAE carrier Ras-al-Khaima (RAK) has requested for designations in Pakistan. After a gap of nine years, German carrier Lufthansa recommenced its operations with three weekly flights in winter. Oman air also recommenced its operations while Malaysian Airline launched its fourth flight to Karachi.

Airblue marked a watershed in aviation history of the country by becoming the first private Pakistani airline to start flights to Manchester last June. Its request for designation to Turkey, Jordan and Sri Lanka has already been approved.

Shaheen Air International (SAI) will commence operations to Bradford, UK, from February 7. They have also requested for starting operations to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Singapore Airline recommenced its operations with three weekly frequencies between Singapore and Pakistan with co-terminal rights at Karachi and Lahore.

Air Italy the second carrier of Italy has been designated to operate to Pakistan. Al-Jazeera the second carrier of Kuwait has been designated to operate between Kuwait and Pakistan. GMG the second airline of Bangladesh has been designated to operate to Pakistan.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=93996

WOW! :banana: :happy:


This is absolutely awesome news! Perhaps our airports can return to the glory days of the 60's with the CAA's liberalisation of the airports! :happy:

WOW! :banana: :happy:


This is absolutely awesome news! Perhaps our airports can return to the glory days of the 60's with the CAA's liberalisation of the airports! :happy:
Sorry to disappoint you, but won't happen. Just look at the countries on the borders of the peninsula on the left of Pakistan. We had our chance up until the early 90's, but blew it.

KARACHI: PIA Flight Kitchen has been awarded the HCCP Food Safety (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) Certification by Bureau Veritas Netherlands’s Pakistan Chapter. To bring PIA’s Flight Kitchen at par with international standard, PIA management had entered into collaboration with SATS (Singapore Airport Terminal Service) two years back. With the combined efforts of PIA’s Flight Service (Flight Kitchen), Works and Procurement and logistics divisions the entire Kitchen was renovated with improvements in its system and processes, PIA is now HCCAP Certified by Bureau Veritas. A simple ceremony was held in this regard at PIA Head Office, CEO of Bureau Veritas Pakistan Abdul Kalam Siddiqui presented HACCP Certificate to Chairman PIA, Zaffar A Khan. Zafar A Khan while addressing the gathering congratulated the employees of the airline on achieving the certification which he said was an achievement for PIA and will further improve standards and provide more credibility to the airline by increasing confidence in food safety reputation. Other than Safety and Reliability, which is of paramount importance for national carrier, we should also focus on customer services, which are an important gauge for the passengers, he added. HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) is a yardstick for measuring Food Safety Control and comprises several principles including Analyzing food hazards and identify critical control points starting from raw material procurement, storage, processing/ production and finally distribution i-e till it reaches the aircraft. Bureau Veritas Certification (being the world’s largest accredited certification body) holds accreditation from than 30 separate national and international accreditation bodies, allowing clients appropriate recognition of their value all over the world. It is also backed by WHO, FAO & WTO. The HACCP certification is valid for a period of three years with regular surveillance audits to be conducted every six months. With this certification PIA will be able to provide in-flight catering to airlines that prefer uplifting food from HACCP certified flight kitchens. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Managing Director, Umer Ghafoor, Chief Financial Officer, Abdul Aleem Senior Vice Presidents, General Managers and offices of the airline.


http://www.regionaltimes.com/02feb2008/money/haccp.php

Their food's still shitty, though.

KARACHI: A high level delegation of Pakistan led by Maj. Gen Mir Haider Ali Khan additional secretary. Ministry of Defence visited Brussels and initiated a horizontal Air service Agreement (ASA) with European Union so as to bring the bilateral ASAs between 20 EU member States and Pakistan in legal conformity with EC law. By virtue of finalization of this agreement EU member states shall be entitled to operate to Pakistan from any other EU member state with Pakistan has a bilateral ASA provided it is established in the territory of the member states under the treaty establishing the European community and Pakistan has accepted its designation by that State. Such an agreement is a milestone in the aviation history of Pakistan. This ASA would encourage European carriers, particularly the low cost carriers to avail the un-utilized traffic rights of European States to/from Pakistan and more air links between Pakistan and Europe thus alleviating the problems of traveling passengers.
Following the horizontal agreement the government of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland became very keen to initial a revised ASA with Pakistan and to reverse the traffic rights. The meeting was held in Manchester on January 24-25 2008. Pakistan delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Mir Haider Ali Khan, additional secretary, Minister of Defence. The revised ASA was initiated with UK along with a very liberal Memorandum Of Understanding.

http://www.regionaltimes.com/02feb2008/money/pakistan.php

Their food's still shitty, though.

I think i mentioned it before too...I don't know about local flights,but on the one from Isloo-Paris the food was great and t'was about the only thing that was good.

MIRPUR: Shaheen Air will launch non-stop flights between Islamabad and United Kingdom’s twin-cities - Bradford/Leeds from February 7, this year. “Pakistan’s new generation favourite private airlines Shaheen Air non-stop operations to Leeds/Bradford would further strengthen the solidarity and friendship between United Kingdom and Pakistan including Azad Jammu and Kashmir”, said Air Cadre (R) Khalid Bashir Anjum, Executive Director, Shaheen Air while speaking to a gathering at a lunch hosted by his organization - Shaheen Air to launch its UK operations from February 7 here Sunday. Among others, a large number of prominent members of the local business community, Travel Agents, Mediamen and other city elites were also present on this occasion. The ceremony was held with the coordination of the AJK’s reputed GSA M/s. Bukhari Travels and other associates of Shaheen Air International. Sayed Farkhan Hussain Bukhari, Executive Director of M/s. Bukhari Travels earlier apprised the mediapersons of the salient features of the first-ever scheduled flight by any private airline for Bradford city of UK from Islamabad. “Shaheen Air, founded in 1993, will be the first private airline of Pakistan in the aviation history to start long haul operations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom’s major city of Bradford”, Khalid Bashir Anjum said. He continued that initially Shaheen Air would operate its flights between Islamabad and Leeds/Bradford twice a week. Later on the ratio of the flights will be doubled within next four to six weeks in view of the frequent traveling of a large number of Britain-based Pakistani and Kashmiri expatriates on this route, he added. The Executive Director Shaheen Air further said that his organization has added a latest and most comfortable airbus - Air-310 in its fleet for the scheduled international Islamabad-Bradford flight. He also announced free transportation facility from Islamabad to Mirpur Azad Kashmir for the Shaheen Air passengers who would travel from Bradford to Islamabad. Khalid Bashir Anjum said that currently Shaheen Air is operating its flights from Islamabad for various Middle East countries including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Alain (UAE), Kuwait, Oman and Qatar. Shaheen Air is now preparing to operate its flight for United States and Canada from Islamabad, he added.—Agency

http://www.regionaltimes.com/04feb2008/money/shaheen.php

Their food's still shitty, though.

i disagree.. i mostly travel LHR-KHI and the food is always good..

shaheen and aero asia have been bragging about for so long... whats hapenin... im waitin for virgin atlantic to start operations.. their customer service is by far the best

More flights for Dubai form Quetta, Faisalabad and Multan
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4535/dubie5.jpg

i would agree to the librilization of the air space.. its still a good news as lots of different airliners are now coming to pakistan.. espacially the european carriers and virgin atlantic on top which is by far a very cool airline...!!

so its all good..!!

Options for KHI-JFK (or another NYC airport)

Emirates
Etihad
Gulf Air
Qatar Airways
PIA
Lufthansa
Turkish Airlines

Any others?

I reallllllllly wish British Airways flew to KHI, but they only do ISB. :(

^^ Saudia goes to JFK too.

Singapore, Malaysian, and Thai too

Singapore, Malaysian, and Thai too
These three (and also Saudi) either don't list Karachi, or don't have online booking. :( :( Well, even PIA sucks in this regard.

Actually, that's the same for Gulf Air too. Qatar Airways doen't have schedule for that month. Then people wonder why Emirates does so much business. As much as I hate Emirates, it really is the only choice. They do things RIGHT.

^^ Yeah I dont think they (Saudi) fancy online booking for Pakistan, but the office is right behind Regent Plaza.

Actually I dont think you even need to visit their own office, you can pretty much check with any travel agent.

I just like to do my bookings online. BTW, is Saudi cheaper than Emirates?

Saudia is an excellent choice for NY

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/8862/salni9.jpg


:banana::banana:

Sialkot is all about footballs?

^^ I think they make a lot of footballs.

^^ I think they make a lot of footballs.

You think?? You think?? Its known for its sports industry. Its famous worldwide!

:ohno:

Looks like both you guys have been infected with the Sanaji virus! :ohno:


Sialkot makes worldclass footballs, surgical apparatus and leather goods.

Looks like both you guys have been infected with the Sanaji virus! :ohno:

Not me! I'm Sanaji proof. :colgate:

Not me! I'm Sanaji proof. :colgate:

Got our vaccination did we? :laugh:

Got our vaccination did we? :laugh:

Yup!













































On the bum....


































still hurts :(
































:shifty:

You think?? You think?? Its known for its sports industry. Its famous worldwide!

:ohno:

Bite me! :tongue3:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/west_yorkshire/7232826.stm

KARACHI, Feb 14: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is set to get two new calibration aircraft next month,

CAA Deputy Director-General Air Vice Marshal Sajid Habib told newsmen during an informal chat at a training workshop held at a local hotel on Thursday.

The workshop, on aircraft accident investigation, was organised by the CAA and its senior investigator, Syed Nazim Ahmed.

The participants were briefed on aircraft design redundancy, air traffic control operations and aviation safety.

In reply to a question about the standard of Pakistani airports AVM Habib said: “We are moving forward to secure ‘A’ category at international level for our Karachi, Lahore and new Islamabad airports.”

He said that all airports were being calibrated on time and operation of all airlines in the country was safe. The CAA was going to get two new aircraft to calibrate the landing and visual equipment at the country’s airports in March, he added.

In Jan 2007, the CAA board had given approval for the purchase of the aircraft which would help the authority expand its flight inspection and calibration services to other countries like Iran, Iraq and Central Asian states.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/02/15/local12.htm

Sialkot is all about footballs?

perhaps they couldnt find a more photogenic sialkot ...

just a thought!

:lol:

Not exactly related to pakistan but :eek:

v_z5HtME9n8

4QNb8x1_vKc

:master:

oOU4yt8YZeo

reminds me of my landing in beirut (below...not my video)
v8UM6cx9w7U

If you want to see bizarre landings, you should google the old KaiTak airport in Hong Kong!

And there are places in Ecuador and Colombia where the planes go over highways and come so close that people have actually been decapitated by the thrust of the turbines!

If you want to see bizarre landings, you should google the old KaiTak airport in Hong Kong!

And there are places in Ecuador and Colombia where the planes go over highways and come so close that people have actually been decapitated by the thrust of the turbines!

Definition: To cut off the head of; behead.

Serious? :shocked:

Definition: To cut off the head of; behead.

Serious? :shocked:

Yessir!




again, not to be mistaken with "Yasir"



:tongue3:


I have a friend whose from Colombia and it happened to his cousin!





















You didnt know what decapitate means? :sly:

If you want to see bizarre landings, you should google the old KaiTak airport in Hong Kong!

And there are places in Ecuador and Colombia where the planes go over highways and come so close that people have actually been decapitated by the thrust of the turbines!

I know... but most videos are just cross-wind related. The landings at Kaitak is more closer to buildings than such dramatic landings.


people decapitated by thrust of the turbines??
:|

I know... but most videos are just cross-wind related. The landings at Kaitak is more closer to buildings than such dramatic landings.


people decapitated by thrust of the turbines??
:|

Dude! The thrust of a turbine is enough to blow a car away! You doubting me you cheese eating francophone! :sly:





*cries in the corner*

You didnt know what decapitate means? :sly:

So? You sometimes have the tendency to use some weird words that you don't get to hear in daily life.

So? You sometimes have the tendency to use some weird words that you don't get to hear in daily life.

:pet:


its ok.......its ok........

Dude! The thrust of a turbine is enough to blow a car away! You doubting me you cheese eating francophone! :sly:





*cries in the corner*

Talk sense dude.....blowing away is different from decapitating. Explain me how you can get decapitated by the thrust of an overhead flying plane?
:crazy:

Ooooooo we got him now!

Maybe he means like this:

ftbAAbzbNSo

Talk sense dude.....blowing away is different from decapitating. Explain me how you can get decapitated by the thrust of an overhead flying plane?
:crazy:

Maybe it was a freak accident yaar! This guy took off from work and went to bloody Colombia to attend the funeral with his whole family! WHY WOULD I LIE YOU RETARD!



Now go eat your cheese!




:laugh:

Dude! The thrust of a turbine is enough to blow a car away! You doubting me you cheese eating francophone! :sly:





*cries in the corner*
I'm doubting that such an airport would exist where people get decapitated from jetwash.

Another nice airport is Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles - Prince Juliana International Airport. Watch for its pics and videos. You can almost touch the plane lying topless on the beach.

So? You sometimes have the tendency to use some weird words that you don't get to hear in daily life.
Decapitation is a very common word, you know.

I'm doubting that such an airport would exist where people get decapitated from jetwash.

Another nice airport is Sint Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles - Prince Juliana International Airport. Watch for its pics and videos. You can almost touch the plane lying topless on the beach.

http://imagesource.art.com/images/-/Screw-You-Guys--C11755105.jpeg

Maybe it was a freak accident yaar! This guy took off from work and went to bloody Colombia to attend the funeral with his whole family! WHY WOULD I LIE YOU RETARD!



Now go eat your cheese!




:laugh:

http://www.antiquark.com/entropyzone/wallpaper/no_bullshit.jpg

http://imagesource.art.com/images/-/Screw-You-Guys--C11755105.jpeg

-nt-

v_z5HtME9n8


Holy SHIT! Thats some skillful pilot flying that plane. Its hard to make such landings on autopilot.

You want to see some skillfull flying? Take a look at how this Korean Airlines Pilot pilot manuevered through ridiculious crosswinds and a curved approach at Hong Kongs old Kai Tak Airport!

Korean 747 Extreme Landing
8pIVjKoUewc



This is the one I was talking about earlier!

^^ Looks fake.

^^ Looks fake.

:sly:


Oh yeah?


Look at this one


Japan Airlines Boeing 747 crosswind landing Hong Kong
OtnL4KYVtDE







shtoopid!

^^ Looks fake.

Its not fake. I have personally experienced landings in strong winds (not as scary as this though).

But there are proper procedures to follow for such high cross-wind landings and before a plane enters service, it is tested for heavy cross-wind landings and a maximum such cross-wind test is established and proper procedures established.

And heres one for our cheese-loving french friend who DOESNT BELIEVE PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE TELLING THE TRUTH!


:bleep:



Witness the Majesty of the Concorde!


Air France Concorde landing at Kai Tak
OBtLix4xqdI

Crosswind landings were a norm at Kai Tak. There's nothing special about them. I just forgot the name, but there's a type of landing where the air pressure suddenly changes at different altitudes. That is the mother of all landings. It's unpredictable and unexpected, whereas crosswind landings aren't.*



*I don't profess to be an aviation expert, all this info is what I've raed on airliners.net, where real pilots post.

And heres one for our cheese-loving french friend who DOESNT BELIEVE PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE TELLING THE TRUTH!

All this cheese talk is cracking me up!! :crazy:

Decapitation is a very common word, you know.

Not for people my age.

Some more scary shit
z42fchrzhHY

Damage to the wings after scrapping the wing on the runway.
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7726/undhp144mx3.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/4033/undhp145uc1.jpg


Originally posted in this thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=590149)

NEW YORK: National Carrier Pakistan International Airline (PIA) is formally launching its first direct non-stop flight to New York from March 30.
According to the formal schedule released by PIA officials, the flight will commence on March 30 from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport. On the other hand, there is another good news that from May 18, there is another flight from Islamabad that will directly travel to New York after stopping in Lahore for a while and will go directly to New York. Once more PIA has proved that it a national airline that thinks beyond imagination. Sources have disclosed that from March 15, tickets of PIA can be issued by Internet thus a sigh of relief for million of its passengers who can sit at home and book tickets, thus saving their precious and valuable time.


http://www.regionaltimes.com/04mar2008/money/pia.php

Very little damage considering how much trouble the pilots were in. Great job to them for recovering from a situation which would have led to the death of everyone on board.

Not too bad, is it? From the video it seemed the right wing also clipped the asphalt.

I was searching for that video. Crazy crosswinds! Kai Tak was mother of all crosswind landings.

It might be old news to some of you but I just came across it.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2139/2066504179_1ddddf8db5_o.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2052/2067302130_5a517ce9ec_o.jpg

http://www.ameinfo.com/140378.html

http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news07/412-PrincelyJets.shtml

That's a fake company.

6dnvosh5V9E

Lufthansa stops flights to Karachi



Sunday, March 30, 2008
By our correspondent

KARACHI: German airline Lufthansa on Saturday, announced that it was taking out Karachi from its network, just five months after flights were resumed to Frankfurt.

“All Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to Karachi are cancelled due to lack of capacity,” the airline said in a communiquÈ. “Lufthansa will endeavour to get Karachi on the Lufthansa route map again, as soon as possible.”

The airline has also changed its schedule of Lahore-Frankfurt flights, which will now fly via Muscat after a technical stop for disembarking crew.

“Due to the current situation in Lahore and operational requirements of the airline, Lufthansa has to change the layover of its crew, and therefore, has to reroute its thrice-a-week flights from Frankfurt to Karachi and onto Lahore,” it said, adding that re-routing of Lufthansa’s Pakistan flights is a precautionary measure.

The days of operation, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, as well as the aircraft operated, the A300-600, remain the same.

As per the new flight schedule for the Frankfurt-Lahore sector, LH658, the flight leaves Frankfurt at 10:25 and arrives at 20:40 in Lahore. The LH659 flight leaves Lahore at 21:40 and arrives at 23:30 in Muscat for a technical stop, with no possibility to disembark. The flight leaves Muscat at 01:15(+1) and arrives at 06:36 in Frankfurt. The new schedule will be implemented from March 30 until May 29.

Lufthansa passengers of Karachi flights are currently rebooked on alternative routes through Dubai and onto Karachi. “Lufthansa tries to minimise inconveniences for its passengers as far as possible. Latest updates will be communicated immediately by the airline to all concerned.”

The German carrier had resumed flights to Pakistan last October, after a gap of almost nine years, saying the comeback decision was based on an overwhelming potential for passenger growth. It had rolled back its operations in 1998.

Link:http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=103769

Etihad's flights set to increase in summer

Etihad's summer schedule for 2008 will see the airline's present 13 flights a week service to Karachi in Pakistan boosted to a twice-daily service.

Airlines and their destinations from Karachi
1:Air Arabia (Sharjah)
2:Air Blue (Dubai)
3:Air China (Beijing, Kuwait)
4:Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Dhaka)
5:Cathay Pacific (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong)
6:Emirates (Dubai)
7:Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)
8:Gulf Air (Bahrain)
9:Iran Air (Tehran-Imam Khomeini)
10:Malaysia Airlines (Dubai, Kuala Lumpur)
11:Oman Air (Muscat)
12:Pakistan International Airlines (Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Beijing, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Delhi, Dammam, Dhaka, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow-Sheremetyevo [Restarts March 30], Mumbai, Muscat, New York-JFK, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh, Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson)
13:Qatar Airways (Doha)
14:Saudi Arabian Airlines (Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh)
15:Shaheen Air (Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat)
16:Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
17:SriLankan Airlines (Colombo, Mumbai)
18:Syrian Arab Airlines (Damascus, Dammam)
19:Thai Airways International (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi)
20:Turkish Airlines (Istanbul-Ataturk)

20 is a pretty low figure dont know what the CAA is doing to woo the airlines

Airlines and their destinations from Lahore
1:Airblue (Dubai)
2:Emirates (Dubai)
3:Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)
4:Gulf Air (Bahrain)
5:Indian Airlines (New Delhi)
6:Kuwait Airways (Kuwait City)
7:Lufthansa (Frankfurt)
8:Mahan Air (Tehran-Imam Khomeini)
9:Malaysia Airlines (Kuala Lumpur)
10:Pakistan International Airlines (Abu Dhabi, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Beijing, Copenhagen, Dammam, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Glasgow-International [begins April 6], Jeddah, Kuwait City, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Milan-Malpensa, Muscat, New York-JFK, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh, Sharjah, Toronto-Pearson)
11:Qatar Airways (Doha)
12:Saudi Arabian Airlines (Jeddah, Riyadh, Medina)
13:Shaheen Air International (Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Muscat)
14:Singapore Airlines (Singapore)
15:Thai Airways International (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi)
16:Ural Airlines (Ekaterinberg, Bangkok)
17:Uzbekistan Airways (Tashkent)
17 even more low

Airlines and their destinations from Islamabad
1:Airblue (Dubai, Manchester)
2:Ariana Afghan Airlines (Kabul)
3:British Airways (London-Heathrow)
4:China Southern Airlines (Kashi, Urumqi)
5:Emirates Airline (Dubai)
6;Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi)
7:Gulf Air (Bahrain)
8:Kuwait Airways (Kuwait)
9:Oman Air (Muscat)
10:Pakistan International Airlines (Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Beijing, Birmingham, Copenhagen, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul-Atatürk, Jeddah, Kabul, London-Heathrow, Manchester, Milan-Malpensa, Muscat, New York-JFK, Oslo, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Riyadh, Tokyo-Narita, Toronto-Pearson)
11:Qatar Airways (Doha)
12:Saudi Arabian Airlines (Jeddah, Riyadh)
13:Shaheen Air International (Abu Dhabi, Al-Ain, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Leeds/Bradford)
14:Thai Airways International (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi)

Oh 14 even more low..

Lufthansa stops flights to Karachi



Sunday, March 30, 2008
By our correspondent

KARACHI: German airline Lufthansa on Saturday, announced that it was taking out Karachi from its network, just five months after flights were resumed to Frankfurt.

“All Lufthansa flights from Frankfurt to Karachi are cancelled due to lack of capacity,” the airline said in a communiquÈ. “Lufthansa will endeavour to get Karachi on the Lufthansa route map again, as soon as possible.”

The airline has also changed its schedule of Lahore-Frankfurt flights, which will now fly via Muscat after a technical stop for disembarking crew.

“Due to the current situation in Lahore and operational requirements of the airline, Lufthansa has to change the layover of its crew, and therefore, has to reroute its thrice-a-week flights from Frankfurt to Karachi and onto Lahore,” it said, adding that re-routing of Lufthansa’s Pakistan flights is a precautionary measure.

The days of operation, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, as well as the aircraft operated, the A300-600, remain the same.

As per the new flight schedule for the Frankfurt-Lahore sector, LH658, the flight leaves Frankfurt at 10:25 and arrives at 20:40 in Lahore. The LH659 flight leaves Lahore at 21:40 and arrives at 23:30 in Muscat for a technical stop, with no possibility to disembark. The flight leaves Muscat at 01:15(+1) and arrives at 06:36 in Frankfurt. The new schedule will be implemented from March 30 until May 29.

Lufthansa passengers of Karachi flights are currently rebooked on alternative routes through Dubai and onto Karachi. “Lufthansa tries to minimise inconveniences for its passengers as far as possible. Latest updates will be communicated immediately by the airline to all concerned.”

The German carrier had resumed flights to Pakistan last October, after a gap of almost nine years, saying the comeback decision was based on an overwhelming potential for passenger growth. It had rolled back its operations in 1998.

Link:http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=103769
What do they mean by lack of capacity? Not enough planes or not enough passengers? It sounds like the former.

Yeah, I don't get it. If there's not enough capacity due to too many people wanting to travel, stopping flights entierely dosen't seem to be the logical solution.

Whereas if there is not enough demand, then this step makes sense.

Methinks it's the latter case, with our journalists making yet another one of their infamous language errors.

I blame Emirates and Etihad's flooding of the KHI market for scaring away Lufthansa. Emirates used to be a nice airline, but the last few times I've flown it, I've noticed their quality has seriously declined since 2000.

Well what i think the problem with lufthansa was that on return they first take passengers to lahore n than to frankfurt n i dont think anyone including me will be that stupid to spend more money on a longer route . i live in london and i checked lufthansa as a possible choice but it was most expensive with 2 transit routes (lahore and frankfurt) on my way to london ,on the otherhand etihad,emirates,qatar and even turkish offers much cheaper and faster route with same or even better aircrafts to europe or america.

I agree, the report is written in an awful manner. So, are Lufthansa still flying to Lahore?

yup they are

http://www.express.com.pk/images/NP_LHE/20080404/Sub_Images/1100381273-1.jpg

^^:banana::banana::banana:

EU May Withdraw Tax Exemptions on Aviation Fuel
MUSHTAQ GHUMMAN

ISLAMABAD (April 05 2008): The European Union has indicated that it is planning to withdraw tax exemptions on aviation fuel, in addition to introducing new safety standards which Pakistan believes are anti-competitive in nature, sources in the defence ministry told Business Recorder.

The EU had placed new conditions before a Pakistani team headed by Major General Mir Haider Ali Khan which held negotiations in Brussels on behalf of Pakistan International Airlines in October last while discussing horizontal agreement between Pakistan and the EU, the sources added. Both the EU and Pakistan are expected to sign the pact, which was in final stages.

Both sides discussed the objectives and contents of the proposed horizontal agreement, besides clarifications over issues and questions raised as well as explanations of certain definitions of concepts. During the discussions, European Commission underlined the need to modify bilateral provisions, which exempt aviation fuel from the possible taxation. Pakistani team took note of the fact that currently, fuel used for intra-community flights was not taxed anywhere in the community.

According to official documents, Pakistani delegation and the EC team agreed to meet to discuss the issue as to when the fuel taxation on intra-community routes, on which carriers designated by Pakistan operate, would be introduced.

Pakistan was also of the view that the air services agreements between Islamabad and any EU member country were based on sovereignty and operations by a carrier of Pakistan between two EU members are to be considered as international traffic and not domestic or provincial traffic.

The EC team informed Pakistani delegation about the on-going revision of the regulations for air transport services in the community which was expected to lead to removal of the safeguard measures currently in place with regard to fares, rates and introduction of new products on air services for carriage wholly within the community.

Opening of new routes by Pakistani carriers as per traffic rights agreed with EU member states would not be affected in any way. The EC would inform Pakistani authorities when the new regulations go into force. Pakistani team was of the view that these rules were anti-competitive in nature.

The team noted that in case of a dispute about interpretation of the horizontal agreement, it would suggest that consultations aimed at clarifying such disputes shall be conducted on the basis of the English language version of the pact.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2008

Karachi: As part of its ongoing efforts aimed towards the up-gradation of airports across the country, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has earmarked Rs9billion in Annual Development Program (ADP) 2007-2008 for the expansion and improvements of airports nationwide as compared to the Rs1.0 billion spent in year 2006-2007.
The credit of development work at such huge level goes to present Director General Farooq Rehmatullah, who has taken keen interest in it, said a CAA release on Tuesday.
Two new airports New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) and New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) are scheduled to be handed over to CAA in December 2010 and November 2010, respectively. The Civil Aviation Authority has already committed Rs5.1 billion by 31st December 2007, i.e., after six months against the ADP provision of Rs9 billion for complete financial year.

I'm astonished at the number of flights that go to Gwadar daily.

Gwadar is the shit! :rock:



































Always wanted to say that. LOL. :lol:

I never understood what the official name for Gwadar is, you pickup Dawn and one day itll be "Gwadar" and the next week itll be "Gawadar"

:ohno:

^^ Its Gwadar. Anyone who writes it as "Gawadar" deserves to be bitch slapped.

I've also seen "Gaawadar"

^^ Two A's? That deserves a double bitch slap.

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Article/2008/05/05/002/05_05_2008_002_007.jpg

Please don't use their online booking. You get charged a couple a thousand more. I fell for it and now will take the matter with Emirates. They should be taken to court for this. Basically, the price they show you is not what you're charged. You see the price in Rupees, which is converted to Dirhams, which is converted to Dollars, which is converted back to Rupees. All this conversion adds a few thousand to a return US ticket. They shouldn't show the price in Rupees when it's not charged!!! Price should be quoted in Dirhams only, since that's what's actually charged. Same thing happens when you buy a normal ticket thru credit card from their brick-and-mortar office.

Fly Emirates. Keep Discovering. They only thing you'll discover is a couple a thousand more on your credit card bill. Thanks, but I don't want to discover that.

Fly Emirates. Keep Discovering. They only thing you'll discover is a couple a thousand more on your credit card bill. Thanks, but I don't want to discover that.

Thanks for the info dude. Its consistent with the "screw the customer in any which way" attitude of many Pakistani and Pakistan based corporates. I suspect they don't apply the same practices in the UAE/UK/USA :ohno:

http://fc07.deviantart.com/fs19/f/2007/277/a/d/PIA_Domestic_Pak_Ad_by_creavity.jpg

http://fc02.deviantart.com/fs19/f/2007/277/9/5/PIA_Domestic_NWFP_Ad_by_creavity.jpg

http://fc07.deviantart.com/fs19/f/2007/277/d/0/PIA_Domestic_LHR_Ad_by_creavity.jpg

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs21/f/2007/277/1/3/PIA_Domestic_KHI_Ad_by_creavity.jpg

http://fc01.deviantart.com/fs21/f/2007/277/f/f/PIA_Pakistan_Ad_by_creavity.jpg

YAPC (yet another PIA chairman)

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines officials have been removed from their positions in the current wake of reshuffle in different departments across the country.

According to details, Federal Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar has been appointed as the new PIA chairman in replacement of Kamran Rasul. On the other hand, Aslam Khan who was serving as the PIA managing director has been substituted by Ijaz Haroon. During the tenure of caretaker setup Kamran Rasul was awarded with additional charge and appointment of Aslam R Khan was also made during the said period.

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs29/f/2008/057/7/c/PIA_NEW_8_by_Shadabader.jpg

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs28/f/2008/057/c/1/PIA_NEW_7_by_Shadabader.jpg

http://fc04.deviantart.com/fs30/f/2008/057/b/f/PIA_NEW_3_by_Shadabader.jpg

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs28/f/2008/057/5/b/PIA_NEW_2_by_Shadabader.jpg

http://fc03.deviantart.com/fs29/f/2008/057/7/f/PIA_NEW_1_by_Shadabader.jpg

I am surprised there are 3 weekly flights to kathmandu.

I am surprised there are 3 weekly flights to kathmandu.

I'm confused! :? In one of the promotions it says "Karachi welcomes you twice a week". And in the other two it says "3 weekly flights". :dunno:

Karachi----->Khatmandu : 3 times a week
Khatmandu-------> Karachi: 2 times a week

People might actually fly PIA if they have a better ad agency which doesn't come up with such crappy ads.

I am surprised there are 3 weekly flights to kathmandu.
It also flies to an obscure Chiense city of Cengcin. Some shit like that. I didn't even know the city existed until I saw PIA's flight schedules.

Karachi----->Khatmandu : 3 times a week
Khatmandu-------> Karachi: 2 times a week

So you can go to a crap city like Khatmandu 3 times a week. But can only come back to Karachi twice a week?! Thats weird!

People might actually fly PIA if they have a better ad agency which doesn't come up with such crappy ads.

Why don't you help them out?

It also flies to an obscure Chiense city of Cengcin. Some shit like that. I didn't even know the city existed until I saw PIA's flight schedules.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

It also flies to an obscure Chiense city of Cengcin. Some shit like that. I didn't even know the city existed until I saw PIA's flight schedules.

Do you mean Shenzhen?

If so, it is far from obscure.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/57440.jpg/800px-57440.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a0/Shennanroad.jpg

edit: I just checked on PIAs site, it only flies to Beijing, Hong Kong and Urumqi in China.

^^ Yeah! Shenzhen ROCKS in everything! I've read a lot about it. Its next to Hong Kong, but still has been able to make a name for itslef in China and around the world. They created the city from scratch some 20 years ago and have turned it into a World City. Its puts Karachi's claim here on this site of being a "World City" to shame! Its also one of the fastest growing cities in China.

Sorry, Urumqi. That's the city.

PIA International Destinations
http://www.piac.com.pk/PIA_About/images/International_Network.gif

source: piac.com.pk

PIA Domestic Destinations
http://www.piac.com.pk/PIA_About/images/Domestic_Network.jpg

^^ they have really screwed up the locations of the cities.
:ohno:

RUBBISH! They don't go Africa, Latin America or Oceania. Only go to 3 places in USA/Canada. The rest seems OK.

They used to go to Africa in 80's when there were a lot of Pakistani there. But not any longer as almost everyone left when most of African nations went through financial turmoils during the late 80s.

And how many travellers do we have for south America anyway? But I though Australia should be up there in the map.

Moreover, it looks like an old map since Urumqi is also not mentioned.

They used to go to Africa in 80's when there were a lot of Pakistani there. But not any longer as almost everyone left when most of African nations went through financial turmoils during the late 80s.

Actually that reminds me. During the early 70s in 1973/74 when my Grandad returned from the UK to Pakistan. His friends used to advice him to leave Pakistan for Zimbabwe as it had way more opportunities than Pakistan and was way more developed too. They were like "what are doing in a place like Pakistan??" to him.

Anyways I'm not just talking about Pakistanis. I want the PIA to broaden its base and aim for non-Pakistanis too. They can generate way more revenue that way. If they are successful in attracting people of every nationality to fly PIA.

PIA's Fleet


PIA's fleet of modern aircraft are spacious, comfortable, and designed to get you to your destination safely. PIA operates a range of advanced aircraft, ranging from the world's preferred Boeing 777 airplane to the super-quiet Airbus A-310.

A brief introduction of PIA fleet is given below:

BOEING 777
The Boeing 777 family comprises of long-range, wide-body twin-engine airplanes. PIA was the first airline in the world to operate all the three variants of the 777 family: 777-200LR, 777-200ER and 777-300ER, all of them are well loved by PIA's seasoned travelers for their spaciousness and comfort. PIA also holds the privilege of being the launch customer for 777-200LR, one of PIA’s aircraft holds the record for the longest commercial jet flight in aviation history. At present PIA is serving destinations in USA, Canada, UK and Europe through its 777 fleet.

Boeing 747
The Boeing 747, often referred to as “Jumbo Jet”, is amongst the world's most iconic and recognizable jet airplanes. This 4 engine long haul wide-body airplane has a two-deck configuration. PIA operates two variants of 747 family which includes 747-300 and 747-200 Combi. 747 Combi is so called as it has mixed pax and cargo configuration on the main deck. At present due to its capacity, 747-300 fleet is mostly deployed to cater high density requirements like carrying intending pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia.

Airbus A310
The Airbus A310 is a medium to long range wide-body airplane providing a spacious interior to its travelers. PIA has deployed the A310-300 fleet on Far East, Regional as well as Domestic routes.

Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is one of the world's favorite narrow-body short/medium haul jet airplane. Amongst its many credits, it has the distinction of being the most ordered and produced commercial airplane of all time and Boeing continues to manufacture its variants, to date. PIA’s 737-300 aircraft mostly serve its domestic and regional routes.

ATR42
This modern technology turbo prop is the latest type inducted in PIA’s fleet. PIA’s fleet of seven ATR42-500 aircraft is configured in comfortable two class seating arrangement. This aircraft has enabled the airline to provide its valued customers the most convenient way to fly to far flung destinations of the country.

Some old (and new) news about AirBlue.

Pakistan's Airblue orders eight Airbus A320 aircraft

By Stefania Bianchi
MarketWatch - USA, Nov 13, 2007

.
DUBAI (Zawya Dow Jones) -- Pakistan's Air Blue Tuesday signed a firm order for eight Airbus A320 aircraft, bringing the airline's total order for A320s to 14.

The deal is worth $520 million at catalogue prices.

The aircraft will be configured to seat 157 passenger in two classes, the airline said.

"We're looking at expanding our destinations to Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Bangkok, Malaysia and Singapore over the next three years," Shahid Abbasi, Air Blue's chief operating officer, said at the signing ceremony at the Dubai airshow.

KARACHI: Airblue will start its major flight expansion programme from July 2009 onward after receiving the recently ordered aircraft, said Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Operation Officer (COO), Airblue.

“The government has granted us permission to operate flights for Jordan, Qatar and Kuwait,” Mr. Abbasi said in an interview to the Daily Times here Saturday. Briefing Airblue’s future strategy, Mr Abbasi said that the biggest private airline of the country has contracted to purchase 14 advanced A-320 aircrafts with the investment of $910 million aimed to expand business (flight operations) on international and domestic routes.

“It will be the second biggest investment in aviation industry of the country after PIA’s deal with Boeing to purchase eight 777-aircraft at a cost at $1.2 billion,” he claimed. According to the Airblue chief, the revenue of private national airlines is equal to one-sixth revenue of Pakistan International Airlines. “I estimated that Airblue will grow its revenue from $250 million to $400 million in the current fiscal year,” he said.

While referring to the population growth of the country and traveling of foreigners in the country, he said that country’s airlines should posses at least 150 advanced aircraft to facilitate its passenger, but, unfortunately it has nearly 60 aircraft and most of them are not advanced and cost-efficient. “You have to buildup capacity in order to make flourishing and healthy aviation industry because whenever the new airline emerges in the market, the volume of growth marks a significant change,” Mr Abbasi elaborated.

He said aviation industry is one of the highly competitive sectors in the world whereby establishing airlines companies are the most risky in nature and needs huge investment. In developing country like Pakistan, running airlines business profitably is a challenge as many private airlines have failed to survive in a short period of time.

Airblue chief observed that there is a big potential and handsome business opportunities for national airlines in the global aviation industry. But, he pointed out that establishing an airline company is highly risky task and needs a strong financial backing. He said with the entry of Airblue the country’s aviation industry witnessed 30 percent growth just in the first year. Now, the growth of aviation industry stands at 10 to 11 percent per annum with major contribution by Airblue.

Airblue carried out its first flight on June 18, 2004 on the domestic routes. It is now operating four international flights on daily basis and more than 20 nationwide flights weekly with its six aircraft in operation. Since its establishment, Airblue has made market of more than 1.2 million passengers in the country, Abbasi claimed.

He lauded the role of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for facilitating private airline companies and emphasized to formulate new “Aviation Policy” to strengthen the market’s competition among the international and national airlines. In his views, the aviation is a service industry so an airline company needs to maintain its standards among the passengers in order to compete with other national and international airlines. There is no problem for any new entrant airlines but customers definitely avail the benefits from competition, he explained. On the other hand, he stressed that the role of aviation regulator should be limited in the open skies market. “Fares are dictated by the market forces and if any restriction is imposed on airlines regarding fares and freight matters, it will collapse the market,” the Airblue COO observed. Airblue will start its domestic flights on the routes of Sialkot and Multan by next year and it has set the target to initiate flight operations on daily basis on the other domestic routes like Quetta, Islamabad, Lahore and Gawader.

Abbasi, who is also former chairman of PIA, expressed his wish to make contribution in the Hajj flights services throughout the country and claimed that Airblue has enough capabilities to run Hajj flights operations better than PIA.

He urged the government to promote tourism in the country, which will indirectly benefit the aviation industry as well passengers.

As far as surging airfares are concern, he pointed out that the prices of air fuel in the global market has compelled airlines companies to increase their fares with a proportion keeping the market’s dynamics of supply and demand. “When we (Airblue) started our airline we were purchasing Jet-fuel at Rs 16 per liter but now we are buying the same fuel at Rs 51 per liter,” he said adding “we could not pass on the entire burden of price surge to our passengers, but the problem is we cannot hedge oil at this stage as it is very risky as Airblue could not afford it.” Regarding human resource of the industry, Airblue COO said that Pakistan has very limited human resource and the airlines companies had to train them through massive investment. “Pilots are very few in number and they are trained from foreign country, where as ground engineers, cabin crew have also been prepared by Airblue itself at very high cost,” he added.

8th Jan, 3008

KARACHI: The number of domestic passengers who preferred travelling in private airline Airblue has grown whereas the national flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is losing its popularity, data compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed.

According to provisional aviation statistics for the year 2006-07, Airblue carried 1.4 million passengers in 2006-07, up around 7.7 per cent from previous year’s 1.3 million it carried between different cities of Pakistan. The PIA, faced with accumulated losses of more than Rs35 billion, lost domestic market share by 5.7 per cent as it carried five million passengers compared to 5.3 million during the period under review. “Airblue has capitalised on Aero Asia clientele,” said an industry official. “The market lost by Aero Asia in the last couple of years has been taken over by Airblue.”

After more than a decade of successful operations, Aero Asia was barred from flying by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in May last year owing to safety concerns. Aero Asia carried more than one million passengers in fiscal 2004-05 but the number shrank to 756,308 in the following year and dropped to 278,900 in 2006-07. In contrast, Airblue, which started with only 22,320 passengers in 2003-04, carried 1.4 million passengers in the last fiscal year.

“Besides, PIA has suffered from a very bad punctuality record in the last couple of years,” continued the official who requested not to be named. “This irregularity and financial woes of PIA have also worked to the advantage of Airblue.” The private carrier has also emerged as a leader in introducing innovation in the aviation industry of the country. It brought the self check-in facility at its Karachi’s hub of Jinnah International Airport whereby passengers with baggage obtain a boarding card through the touch screen menu without needing to report to the counter.

The concept of booking-first-to-get-the-lowest-fare has also contributed to advance of Airblue in gaining the market share. PIA is now following the suit and has adopted the same strategy. Airblue with its six A320 and A321 aircraft was also able to ride the tide of rising fuel cost, which bankrupted many airlines across the world.

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the Chief Executive Officer and the brain behind the success of the private airline is confident that future fuel-related price shocks would be sustained. “We are in a phase of growth,” he told The News. “With aggressive revenue management and increasing the number of passengers we will make through this period.” However, he hinted that few cost elements would be passed on in fares and others would be absorbed through operation of the aircraft on profitable routes.

Around 305,370 passengers travelled by Shaheen Air International (SAI) in 2006-07 as compared to 55,670 in the previous year. On the international front, PIA carried 3.59 million passengers in 2006-07, Airblue 237,170 and SAI 198,067. Except for the flag carrier, the two domestic airlines have registered growth in previous year.

Actually that reminds me. During the early 70s in 1973/74 when my Grandad returned from the UK to Pakistan. His friends used to advice him to leave Pakistan for Zimbabwe as it had way more opportunities than Pakistan and was way more developed too. They were like "what are doing in a place like Pakistan??" to him.

Anyways I'm not just talking about Pakistanis. I want the PIA to broaden its base and aim for non-Pakistanis too. They can generate way more revenue that way. If they are successful in attracting people of every nationality to fly PIA.
PIA had the opportunity in late 80's. It could've been one of a major intl. airline, something like Emirates. But it didn't take the chance and now it's too late. We have neither the money, nor the headstart, nor the planning or the vision to do it. Karachi isn't that cool city it used to be in the 70's either. So I guess people should be realistic and stop hoping that PIA would become what you dream about.

^^ Yea I know its not possible. But I wish it was.

Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, is ranked among the world's leading airports in service performance, a latest survey by Singapore Airlines revealed.


The intensive Service Performance Survey (SPS) was conducted recently by Singapore Airlines to assess the quality of service standards being maintained by the airports within the region.

The survey entailed a stringent evaluation of airports on the basis of lounge facilities offered in terms of general airport condition, ambience, and comfort of lounge as well as overall efficiency of the airports' lounge staff with respect to their level of friendliness and assistance extended to all travellers and visitors of the airports.

Airports were assessed and evaluated by Singapore Airlines for the Service Performance Survey (SPS) included 18 leading airports from all across the world including UAE's Abu Dhabi Airport, Saudi Arabia's Jeddah Airport, United Kingdom's Campbell Town Airport, Pakistan's Allama Iqbal International and Jinnah International Airports, India's Bombay, Calcutta, Chennai and Delhi airports, Sri Lanka's Colombo Airport, South Africa's Cape Town and Johannesburg Airports alongwith Bangladesh's Dhaka Airport and the Malee Airport.

Following a rigorous scrutiny and evaluation of these airports by the representatives from the Singapore Airlines, Pakistan's Allama Iqbal International Airport, and the Lahore airport secured the first position with a score ranging from 87 percent to 100 percent in the different fields outlined by the airline as part of the survey criteria. "In an age where knowledge, innovation and advancements have paved the way for unprecedented growth and opportunities, adaptation to change was a critical element that would help us keep pace with the changing dynamics of airport management," said CAA director general.

We recognize the need to ensure effective and an efficient management of our airports in line with the global benchmarks and, therefore, feel great pride over this achievement, he added.

Following is the overall ranking of lounge facilities:

1) Lahore 94.44

2) Jeddah 79.19

3) Cape Town 74.94

4) Male 69.49

5) Campbell Town 68.48

6) Colombo 67.74

7) Karachi 64.14

8) Istanbul 61.87

9) Kolkata 61.14

10) Delhi 59.57

11) Johannesburg 56.38

12) Dubai 56.17

13) Chennai 52.79

14) Abu Dhabi 52.77

15) Dhaka 40.28

16) Bombay 36.22

^^ Why didn't you highlight Karachi at number 7 too???

This sounds more like a "third world airports award" to me. If they are going to exclude airports such as Heathrow, JFK, Dulles etc then I really don't think they should title it "worlds best airport".

The intensive Service Performance Survey (SPS) was conducted recently by Singapore Airlines to assess the quality of service standards being maintained by the airports within the region.


This sounds more like a "third world airports award" to me. If they are going to exclude airports such as Heathrow, JFK, Dulles etc then I really don't think they should title it "worlds best airport".

Who says its "Worlds best airport" award? It says amongst the leading...even though it ranked No. 1 in this survey.

The headline reads "ranked the worlds leading airport" :dunno:

Jeez...I sure would like to see the detailed criteria they used.

I was in Sri Lanka in '06 and had to go thru Colombo airport. I was truly shocked by the airport. Contrary to my expectations, the airport was large, clean, organised and efficient. The facilities and lounges were fantastic and on a par with those in many of the world's leading airports.

Its position relative to Lahore made me chuckle. One of life's little mysteries I guess :nuts:

its actually a bit old news ( nov 2007).

Here is a source if anyone is interested.
http://thepost.com.pk/Arc_CorpNews.aspx?dtlid=130820&catid=8&date=11/27/2007&fcatid=14

Geez! So much negativity! Why can't you guys just accept the fact that Lahore Airport's Lounge rocks???

Geez! So much negativity! Why can't you guys just accept the fact that Lahore Airport's Lounge rocks???

Lol...u gotta be pullin my whatchamacallit right? Its acceptable...to state it rocks would suggest its at the top of the game and would be difficult to improve...far from it buddy :no:

Lol...u gotta be pullin my whatchamacallit right? Its acceptable...to state it rocks would suggest its at the top of the game and would be difficult to improve...far from it buddy :no:

So you won't take the word of Singapore Airlines???

no project is beyond improvement....should appreciation be deleted from vocabulary list then?

There are other airports in pakistan that are far worse and need improvement than this one. Nothing wrong in appreciating if something is good.

Guys...you've veered off the point I made (he says totally unsurprised :lol:).

With due respect (don't you just hate it when people say that), my point was that I would be interested in viewing the criteria as I personally feel that Colombo is a better airport (both check-in side and air-side). I made no comment about Lahore!!!

Read the posting my old fellow posters....read the posting.

If you are referring to me then my post is because you said "to state it rocks would suggest its at the top of the game and would be difficult to improve...far from it buddy". Now read my post again.

There's nothing wrong to find the details... its a good thing to do. But assuming it to be incorrect before you find and read the details or declining to appreciate whats available at hand (as you said) ain't right either.

So of course there are loads of improvements possible, just like in every other project in all countries, but hey...it does rock.

But assuming it to be incorrect before you find and read the details...



Arre mod bhai....which post of mine were you reading to reach that conclusion?

Kya ho raha hai bhaiyya??

i was referring to post 146.

Anyway, laissez tomber.

Anyway, laissez tomber.

Agreed, no worries bhai....good discussion anyway.

Guys...you've veered off the point I made (he says totally unsurprised :lol:).

With due respect (don't you just hate it when people say that), my point was that I would be interested in viewing the criteria as I personally feel that Colombo is a better airport (both check-in side and air-side). I made no comment about Lahore!!!

Read the posting my old fellow posters....read the posting.

I wasn't just referring to your post. I was referring to Brighty's post too! Singapore Airlines says that Lahore's lounge is better than Colombo's so I will go along with that! They are the ones in the Aviation Industry!

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will conduct a full-scale emergency exercise at Islamabad International Airport at 1000 hours on Monday.

According to CAA, during the two-hour exercise the flight schedule for all incoming and out going flights will continue according to the usual routine.

The purpose of the exercise is to develop, equip and train to achieve high level of Fire Safety and First Aid procedures in case of any emergency at the airport. In order to achieve the desired objectives, fire fighting units and ambulances along with paramedics and fire brigades of CAA, PAF and other hospitals and departments of twin cities would participate in this exercise. During the exercise fire fighters and paramedics along with other organisations would develop better coordination to cope with emergency of this nature at the airport.

Yeah i told my dad this and he thought i was lying. Even after an hours debate he wouldn't accept it!

I just gave up after that :laugh:

http://dailytimes.com.pk/images/2008/05/20/20080520_e01.jpg
ISLAMABAD: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) personnel participate in Full Scale Airport Emergency Exercise 2008 to test their competence and functioning of equipment.

Which airlines are flying from either ISB or Lahore to Singapore?

I am planning a trip to Singapore.

Singapore Airline... from lahore- singapore.. very good inflight service

thanks

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Article/2008/05/28/119/28_05_2008_119_004.jpg

Thursday, May 29, 2008
MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed has said that the AJK government would launch the Air Kashmir service to link all parts of the state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

He said this while talking to a group of journalists here on Tuesday. Sardar Attique said that Kashmiris from all parts of the state were like a family bonded in one unit."We desire to have close contacts among all sectors of society and other areas between the Kashmiri people across the Line of Control," he added.

The AJK PM, while proposing direct postal service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar, said that before launching the air service, the postal service across the LoC was the need of the hour. He said, "We are also in favour of opening of other means of communication so as to promote trade between both sides of Kashmir."

While welcoming the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, the AJK premier said that this was a good omen. Sardar Attique was of the view that after a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, lasting peace in South Asian region could be guaranteed.

KARACHI, May 29: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will launch a apprenticeship training programme to impart technical education in the field of aviation to youths at its training institute in Hyderabad.

Established in 1982 under the aegis of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Civil Aviation Training Institute (CATI) provides training in the field of Air Traffic Services, Aviation Management & Administration, Rescue & Fire Fighting Services, Electronics Engineering, Communication Operations and Electromechanical Engineering.

CATI Principal Mujahid Islam Khan told a team of journalists visiting the institute that the apprenticeship programme would be launched within a fortnight and candidates would be selected under the quota system from among the applicants coming from the entire country.

He said that a proposal had been sent to the government for approval of stipends for the candidates.

He said that the CAA was working on a plan aimed at attaining the status of academy for the CATI. The Authority was in touch with the Sindh governor and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) in this regard, he added.

Spread over an area of 100 acres, the institute has imparted training to 10,406 people, including 504 foreigners, 723 candidates from the corporate sector and 362 officials of the armed forces, over the past 26 years.

Mr Khan stated that as part of its restructuring programme, the CAA was also planning to generate revenues by offering courses to foreigners on a commercial basis. “People from various countries want to come here for training because such training in the US and Europe is very expensive,” he said.

http://epaper.dawn.com/Web/Article/2008/05/31/003/31_05_2008_003_005.jpg

Air Kashmir? Interesting...

KARACHI: Civil Aviation Authority has acquired two new calibration aircrafts that will arrive in the country at the end of current month, official told Daily Times.

Official sources told that these aircrafts have a cost $15.2 million, around 90 percent of which has been paid to the manufacturing company as per scheduled of the contract.

The aviation regulatory authority had done purchasing contracts with US Company, Hawker Beech Corporation, in September last year after conducting various studies of aircraft’s model that were suited for Pakistan’s airports.

The primary purpose of purchasing these is to fulfill the country’s needs, as Pakistan has 43 airports including nine international airports, which needs to be maintained in accordance with international aviation rules, officials told Daily Times.

Calibration aircraft is a special kind of aircraft, which examines the airport communication systems, landing, navigation and visual aids, for safe operation of air traffic as per the guidelines defined by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These systems direct the landing and flying positions to pilots who arrive and depart from an airport.

CAA officials told that these advanced calibration system aircrafts would also provide services on commercial basis to other countries according to its business plan, currently being prepared by the CAA.

CAA provides quality services at reasonable rates. As a matter of fact many countries prefer Pakistan instead of other service providers, he added. “Having two new aircrafts, Pakistan is focusing to enhance its business through extending its calibration services to the other countries keeping in view the lucrative market of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and African countries.” However, the existing aircraft has become old and the country has lost its demand owing to lack of advanced technology, the official added.

Officials told that the land-originated inspection system would be systemised with these aircrafts because they were purchased in 2002 and operating their functions perfectly.

Currently, the CAA has one calibration aircraft, Beech Super King B200, which was purchased at a cost of about one million dollars in 1977.

This 30-year old calibration aircraft has performed an extra-ordinary job and has also earned huge foreign exchange of around $40 million so far, which is four times more than the cost of its purchase. It has done handsome business by providing services to other regional countries, particularly those in South Asia and the Middle East. It has provided its services to 11 countries.

The ICAO recommends every country to test all its communication, navigational, visual landing, and other safety systems in accordance with a given time schedule in order to regulate air traffic with the minimum risk of any accident.

KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) aims to promote the aviation sector in the country by allowing market forces to determine fares, quality, frequency and range of air services, a handout quoted CAA Director General Farooq Rehmatullah as saying on Thursday.

In a briefing to the Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, who visited the CAA headquarters, he said the revenue earned by the aviation regulator during the financial year 2006-07 witnessed a substantial increase of over 30pc with a profit margin of Rs6.3 billion as compared to previous year’s revenue of Rs4.8bn.

He said as per the business plan, the CAA’s contribution to the GDP will be increased from about 0.1pc to 1pc in the next five years. CAA envisages a tremendous rise in revenues from Rs11.6bn to Rs30.8bn in 2012 and an increase in air traffic from 17 million passengers per annum to 33 million passengers, he added.

Rehmatullah said the CAA is presently involved in the process of developing passenger and cargo transshipment hubs to support and facilitate the objectives of National Transport Master Plan (NTMP) and National Trade Corridor (NTC).

The briefing also served to highlight Commercial Development projects which include the new Islamabad international airport (NIIA), airport cities in Karachi and Lahore, as well as the creation of cargo complexes, hotels, shopping malls and attractive retail propositions.

He said as per the business plan, the CAA’s contribution to the GDP will be increased from about 0.1pc to 1pc in the next five years. CAA envisages a tremendous rise in revenues from Rs11.6bn to Rs30.8bn in 2012 and an increase in air traffic from 17 million passengers per annum to 33 million passengers, he added.

I remember posting something which said that we had 13 million air traffic passengers. Thats seems to have risen to 17 million now. Good news. 33 million by 2012, don't know how that would fare againt our population at that time.

The briefing also served to highlight Commercial Development projects which include the new Islamabad international airport (NIIA), airport cities in Karachi and Lahore, as well as the creation of cargo complexes, hotels, shopping malls and attractive retail propositions.

What exactly are "airport cities"???

Commercial/residential areas around airports that benefit from being close to the airport. The whole thing collectively is known as an airport city.

And 17m is shamefully low. The Bombay Airport alone caters to more than 20m passengers/year.

Commercial/residential areas around airports that benefit from being close to the airport. The whole thing collectively is known as an airport city.

And 17m is shamefully low. The Bombay Airport alone caters to more than 20m passengers/year.

Thanks for the info. Anyways there is no point in comparing ourselves with India. As India has 7 times our population and they get loads of tourists coming there too. We don't. So unless the domestic figure for India is in excess of being 7 times larger than our figure of 17 million, then we can't really say that 17m is low.

In a way you can. I'm not comparing their total, but just for one airport.

In a way you can. I'm not comparing their total, but just for one airport.

Just to put that in some perspective, India's air passenger traffic in 2007 was 90.44 million. That is 5.32x more than Pakistan's 17 million, even though India's population is almost 7x more than Pakistan's. Also considering the almost non-existent tourism industry and limited business travel in Pakistan at the moment, not only is 17 million passengers not shameful, but actually suggests that Pakistanis love to fly!

Thanks for the info. Anyways there is no point in comparing ourselves with India. As India has 7 times our population and they get loads of tourists coming there too. We don't. So unless the domestic figure for India is in excess of being 7 times larger than our figure of 17 million, then we can't really say that 17m is low.

traPPed :

Thank you for your Sagacious and Wise as also Realistic & True Statement.

Pakistan is ofcourse Equal to India in All Respects but Parity is with one Seventy Times in Size should not be considered.

Cheers:cheers:

OK, firstly, I do know the diff. in the population. What I was trying to say was that 1 single airport of their's handles more passengers than the whole of Pakistan. So, by extension, I was assuming that their passengers/capita would be more than Pakistan. But as sikander has shown, that's not the case. So I assume that either Bombay is a major hub for Indians, or people in the smaller cities don't fly much.

Also, I compared with India not coz of Pak vs. Ind thing, but just coz there isn't any other country near Pakistan that can be compared. So I meant no illwill.

Just to put that in some perspective, India's air passenger traffic in 2007 was 90.44 million. That is 5.32x more than Pakistan's 17 million, even though India's population is almost 7x more than Pakistan's. Also considering the almost non-existent tourism industry and limited business travel in Pakistan at the moment, not only is 17 million passengers not shameful, but actually suggests that Pakistanis love to fly!

Exactly!

In addition to Pakistan - in comparison with India - leading in the Field of Air Transportation , Pakistan also leads in the field of Road Transportation especially “Car Density” mainly due to the Pakistani Economical & Financial condition being Better (Now Pakistani Per Capita Income of US Dollars 1,085 is about 37% Higher than India’s Per Capita Income of US Dollars 792).

It is for this reason - mainly - that India was forced to develop its Rail Transport System to provide the Ordinary Indians with an affordable mode of transport for the common Indian.

Cheers:cheers:

Just to put that in some perspective, India's air passenger traffic in 2007 was 90.44 million. That is 5.32x more than Pakistan's 17 million, even though India's population is almost 7x more than Pakistan's. Also considering the almost non-existent tourism industry and limited business travel in Pakistan at the moment, not only is 17 million passengers not shameful, but actually suggests that Pakistanis love to fly!

Thanks for the figure. I couldn't be bothered to look for it! So for India's figure to be considered equal to our figure of 17 million. India would need 119 million air passengers. I.e. almost 30 million more passengers. Just for comparison's sake!

traPPed :

Thank you for your Sagacious and Wise as also Realistic & True Statement.

Pakistan is ofcourse Equal to India in All Respects but Parity is with one Seventy Times in Size should not be considered.


Cheers:cheers:

Dude! Its SEVEN not SEVENTY! :lol: Otherwise, India would have in excess of 11 Billion people! :lol:

OK, firstly, I do know the diff. in the population. What I was trying to say was that 1 single airport of their's handles more passengers than the whole of Pakistan. So, by extension, I was assuming that their passengers/capita would be more than Pakistan. But as sikander has shown, that's not the case. So I assume that either Bombay is a major hub for Indians, or people in the smaller cities don't fly much.

How about Foreign Tourists coming into India through its biggest Airports??? I heard that India got Five million foreign tourists in 2007.

Also, I compared with India not coz of Pak vs. Ind thing, but just coz there isn't any other country near Pakistan that can be compared. So I meant no illwill.

We know that! :yes:

Just to put that in some perspective, India's air passenger traffic in 2007 was 90.44 million. That is 5.32x more than Pakistan's 17 million, even though India's population is almost 7x more than Pakistan's. Also considering the almost non-existent tourism industry and limited business travel in Pakistan at the moment, not only is 17 million passengers not shameful, but actually suggests that Pakistanis love to fly!



Hi,
Here's my two cents: First of all, just a slight correction in the numbers: India is estimated to have handled almost 120 million passengers in 2007-2008 (Apr 2007 - Mar 2008) compared to 99 million (not 90 million) in 2006-2007. So, in per capita terms, they're equal to Pakistan, however, this is the first time in decades that India equals Pakistan in the number of people flying in per capita terms as Pakistan has always been ahead of India in this respect. For example, as late as 2002, all of India only handled 42 million passengers (don't know what the comparable figure for Pakistan is but I'm sure it wasn't just 6 million, which is what it should've been to give it the same per capita rate).

India's air industry has seen tremendous growth (amongst the world's fastest since 2003) and hence the numbers you see today (but it only allowed India to reach Pakistan in per capita terms last year, not exceed it).

Mumbai's airport is India's busiest but because people in India's smaller cities don't fly as much (at least not yet) traffic is concentrated in the biggest cities. Mumbai handled 24 million passengers in 2007 but that's 20% of India's total traffic handled by only one airport!!! The other 5 big cities (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) combined with Mumbai (so the six metros) handled 65% of India's total air traffic, meaning all the other airports combined only handled 35% of traffic (a clear sign that flying is only very common in the big cities).

Hope that puts things into perspective! Cheers :)

Dude! Its SEVEN not SEVENTY! :lol: Otherwise, India would have in excess of 11 Billion people! :lol:


traPPed :

Mistook took place!

Will go and stand in the corner!!

Will forego pudding at Dinner tonight!!!

Cheers:cheers:

.
CITY LOVER :

Your Post June 15th, 2008 06:00 PM

2002-2003 : Pakistani Civil Airports Handled 10,620,166 Passenger (http://www.statpak.gov.pk/depts/fbs/publications/yearbook2007/transport/20.21.pdf)

Cheers:cheers:

Hi,
Here's my two cents: First of all, just a slight correction in the numbers: India is estimated to have handled almost 120 million passengers in 2007-2008 (Apr 2007 - Mar 2008) compared to 99 million (not 90 million) in 2006-2007. So, in per capita terms, they're equal to Pakistan, however, this is the first time in decades that India equals Pakistan in the number of people flying in per capita terms as Pakistan has always been ahead of India in this respect. For example, as late as 2002, all of India only handled 42 million passengers (don't know what the comparable figure for Pakistan is but I'm sure it wasn't just 6 million, which is what it should've been to give it the same per capita rate).

India's air industry has seen tremendous growth (amongst the world's fastest since 2003) and hence the numbers you see today (but it only allowed India to reach Pakistan in per capita terms last year, not exceed it).

Mumbai's airport is India's busiest but because people in India's smaller cities don't fly as much (at least not yet) traffic is concentrated in the biggest cities. Mumbai handled 24 million passengers in 2007 but that's 20% of India's total traffic handled by only one airport!!! The other 5 big cities (Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad) combined with Mumbai (so the six metros) handled 65% of India's total air traffic, meaning all the other airports combined only handled 35% of traffic (a clear sign that flying is only very common in the big cities).

Hope that puts things into perspective! Cheers :)

Man! You know alot! Why don't you introduce yourself in the appropriate thread? :) See, India has 6 Metro's, then how many do we have??? I don't know!!! :dunno: Karachi, Lahore, ISB/Pindi, Faisalabad :?

traPPed :

Mistook took place!

Will go and stand in the corner!!

Will forego pudding at Dinner tonight!!!

Cheers:cheers:

:lol: :okay:

See, India has 6 Metro's, then how many do we have??? I don't know!!! :dunno: Karachi, Lahore, ISB/Pindi, Faisalabad :?

None. Cause the main method of transportation in Pakistan is via a bus.

None. Cause the main method of transportation in Pakistan is via a bus.

No. I'm not talking about a Metro as in a Metro system. But as a Metro Area. Thats what CITY_LOVER meant. Only Delhi has a Metro system as far as I know. The rest are U/C or in the planning stages.

traPPed :

See, India has 6 Metro's, then how many do we have??? I don't know!!! :dunno: Karachi, Lahore, ISB/Pindi, Faisalabad :?


traPPed :

Please add Pakistan’s Fifth “Spanking New” Sialkot International Airport to the Four Pakistani International Airports you have enumerated.

Cheers:cheers:

No. I'm not talking about a Metro as in a Metro system. But as a Metro Area. Thats what CITY_LOVER meant. Only Delhi has a Metro system as far as I know. The rest are U/C or in the planning stages.

One more correction coming up...Kolkata was the first city to have a metro since the 80s. Metro rails system in other cities other than Delhi are all either being constructed or just about begin construction. Mumbai of course has a very extensive and crowded surface rail system.

Metro rail system being considered for 8 major cities : Naek (http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=40440&Itemid=2)

ISLAMABAD, June 4 (APP): Minister for Railways Farooq H Naek informed the National Assembly on Wednesday that there is proposal to start metro rail service in the eight major cities of Pakistan including Karachi,Lahore,Rawalpindi-Islamabad,Peshawar and Quetta.

Full Article posted on “Transportation - Urban, inter-city, subways” Thread.

Cheers:cheers:

I very much doubt even the big 3 cities will get a metro anytime soon, let alone Peshawar and Quetta.

Metro rail is the running gag of Pakistan. You people fail at not getting the joke. The joke started when they planned one for Karachi in the 70's.

traPPed :

Please add Pakistan’s Fifth “Spanking New” Sialkot International Airport to the Four Pakistani International Airports you have enumerated.

Cheers:cheers:

NO! I wasn't talking about that! I just wanted to know about the METRO AREAS in Pakistan. And Sialkot is Pakistan's 6th Int'l Airport after Karachi, Lahore, ISB/Pindi, Peshawar and Quetta. Faisalabad doesn't have an Int'l airport as far as I know!

One more correction coming up...Kolkata was the first city to have a metro since the 80s. Metro rails system in other cities other than Delhi are all either being constructed or just about begin construction. Mumbai of course has a very extensive and crowded surface rail system.

Yes, I know that! "SarafIndian" has already reminded me of that through PM! It just slipped my mind! And what the hell do you mean by "One more correction coming up"????? :bash::bash::bash: I want to know about METRO AREAS not Subways or Int'l Airports! :bash:

Swallow a chill pill bro.

Swallow a chill pill bro.

No. Did you see the rude starting to his reply????

Swallow a chill pill bro.
Mr.Sensative will need more than a chill pill to calm down.

NO! I wasn't talking about that! I just wanted to know about the METRO AREAS in Pakistan. And Sialkot is Pakistan's 6th Int'l Airport after Karachi, Lahore, ISB/Pindi, Peshawar and Quetta. Faisalabad doesn't have an Int'l airport as far as I know!


No... Faisalabad has international airport. PIA has direct flights between Faisalabad and Glasgow. Faisalabad int'l airport also serve flights to Dubai,Jeddah,Madina,Doha and Abudhabi. There will be more destinations in near future.:cheers:



http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk231/honeynhf/4874242.jpg
So the Sialkot int'l is the 7th in Pakistan.

Mr.Sensative will need more than a chill pill to calm down.

Thank You for another personal attack! That's what you've been doing ever since you joined up! Keep it up! :cheers: :okay:

No... Faisalabad has international airport. PIA has direct flights between Faisalabad and Glasgow. Faisalabad int'l airport also serve flights to Dubai,Jeddah,Madina,Doha and Abudhabi. There will be more destinations in near future.:cheers:


So the Sialkot int'l is the 7th in Pakistan.

Oh sorry! I think Gwadar aswell! So that makes eight now! :)

Cities and villages I know have int'l flights for sure

Karachi
Lahore
Islamabad





Quetta
Peshawar
Gwadar
Faisalabad
Sialkot
Multan
Raheem Yar Khan (Charters)

Once again, Siamu had to come and save the day because no-one knows what they're talking about.

No... Faisalabad has international airport. PIA has direct flights between Faisalabad and Glasgow. Faisalabad int'l airport also serve flights to Dubai,Jeddah,Madina,Doha and Abudhabi. There will be more destinations in near future.:cheers:



http://i281.photobucket.com/albums/kk231/honeynhf/4874242.jpg
So the Sialkot int'l is the 7th in Pakistan.
I've seen it after such a long time!

Cities and villages I know have int'l flights for sure

Karachi
Lahore
Islamabad





Quetta
Peshawar
Gwadar
Faisalabad
Sialkot
Multan
Raheem Yar Khan (Charters)

Once again, Siamu had to come and save the day because no-one knows what they're talking about.

Siamu's right (http://www.azfreight.com/azworld/aw22651.cfm)! I searched and found out, that infact we have 10 Int'l Airports! I always thought that only the 4 Provincial Capitals plus Islamabad have an Int'l airport, as thats what I remember being taught as a little kid back in Pakistan. So that has always been stuck in my mind! I just added Gwadar & Sialkot to that list, as I heard about them in the news.

I guess statements like the following one, are the reason why I thought the way I did:

Pakistan is linked to the rest of the world thru Air with its International airports in Karachi Lahore, Islamabad Peshawar & Quetta. LINK: http://www.travel-culture.com/pakistan/getting_to_pakistan.shtml

I've seen it after such a long time!Are u frm Faisalabad?? originally?:nuts:

Are u frm Faisalabad?? originally?:nuts:

He's Faisalabadi by birth! And says that Faisalabadi chicks are "easy"! :laugh:

Becoz 40% of them are still villagers.:lol:

He's Faisalabadi by birth! And says that Faisalabadi chicks are "easy"! :laugh:

But their brothers might prove to be butchers if they find out!! :lol:

Direct flights to Islamabad will soon be available from Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will start flights between the two destinations in July.

Running twice a week, the new flights mark the first introduction of Leeds Bradford into the PIA airline network.

Tony Hallwood, commercial and aviation development director at the airport welcomed the news, commenting: "We are extremely pleased to have secured the services of Pakistan International Airlines to deliver this important flagship service.

"A direct flight to Islamabad, Pakistan by PIA, one of the leading international airlines is a major achievement for the airport and we are proud of our success."

Continue (http://news.skyscanner.net/articles/2008/06/000394-islamabad-flights-at-leeds-bradford-airport.html)

^^ Excellent news...I hope PIA and Air Blue also extend the range of airports in Pakistan which they serve from non-Heathrow UK airports.

GMG to start Dhaka-Karachi flight from August
RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI (June 26 2008): Bangladesh private sector airline GMG has announced to start its flight between Dhaka and Karachi from mid August 2008. Addressing a press conference at Travel Agent Polani Group of International on Wednesday, Executive Director GMG Airline for Middle East and African Region, Varendra Natyal and Country Manager for Pakistan Misbahuddin Mehmood said that the airline would also provide cargo facility to customers.

They said that the airline would start its service to Karachi via Delhi. They said that GMG is a well-known international private airline of Bangladesh, operating its services between four Saarc countries and Dubai since 2004.

They said that the company has decided to start its service for Karachi via Delhi seeing increasing traffic and bright prospect of business. The company also intends to start its service up to Lahore soon, they added. Initially the airline will start three flights per week. They company has 7 most modern MD 82, MD 83 and 67 Boeing aircraft.

The company will also establish its office in Karachi. They said that the company has appointed Travel Agent Polani Group of International as its agent in Pakistan.

Source http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=761193&currPageNo=2&query=&search=&term=&supDate=

Pakistan, Spain sign Air Service Agreement

KARACHI: Pakistan and Spain have signed an Air Service Agreement (ASA) recently in Madrid aimed at enhancing passenger and commercial air traffic between the two countries, Civil Aviation Authority statement issued said.

The agreement would liberalise traffic rights between the two states. Accordingly, various airlines of both the countries can operate unlimited passengers and cargo services between different cities of each state. Airlines of both the countries can avail co-terminal rights on limited frequencies on any two points of call in each state. The code share agreement has also been agreed, the statements said.

Previously the air service agreement was restricted to operations of single airline with 03 weekly services and one destination in each state.

Further, the ASA text has been modified in the light of recently concluded horizontal agreement with European Union and bi-lateral agreement with UK. staff report

Source: Daily Times

‘Skardu, Gilgit airports to be equipped with modern facilities’ (http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/28/nat10.htm)


By Our Correspondent

SKARDU, June 27: Skardu and Gilgit airports will be equipped with modern facilities to maintain the schedule of flights even in bad weathers.

These views were expressed by Director General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Farooq Rehmatullhah, while inaugurating the ground breaking ceremony of a new terminal at Skardu Airport.

He said a team of experts was being sent to Switzerland to study the latest landing system of flights in the cloudy weather. On its return, the team will introduce this modern technology in the mountainous areas, especially in Skardu and Gilgit, with the help of the government.

He said well-equipped airports would help promote tourism in the Northern areas.

The director general said a new aviation policy had been drafted under which private persons or companies would be allowed to build their own helipads and they would be able to launch their own flight service or helicopter service.

“Besides, no landing charges would be levied in Northern Areas. However, the policy was to be approved by the federal cabinet,” he added.

Mr Farooq said Skardu airport building was old and the passengers were facing hardships because of it.

After completion of this project, the people would get latest facilities in the new building at Skardu airport.

He said work on this project would be launched within one month and would be completed by next year at a cost of Rs50 million.

And all off-topic posts will get deleted. C'est la vie!

Becoz 40% of them are still villagers.:lol:

Hey! Don't call Faisalabadis Villagers!!! :ohno: :down: :bash: And where did you derive that figure from???????

PIA today increased fares for intl. flights.

Anybody got the details?

SHARJAH - Airblue, Pakistan's fastest growing private airline, is all set to expand its international operations by launching new flight services from North of Pakistan to Sharjah in August, a top official said yesterday.

Talking to Khaleej Times on the sidelines of an event held in Sharjah to chalk out the airline's expansion plan primarily in the UAE by adding Sharjah as its new destination after Dubai, Airblue's Manging Director Syed Nasir Ali said the airline has acquired two new airbus A319 aircraft on dry lease, which will be inducted in its fleet from the first week of August.

"We are in touch with aviation authorities of Sharjah to finalise the plan to launch our airline's operations from August 14 to main Pakistani cities," he said.

"With the addition of these two new aircraft, the airblue fleet will consist of three airbus A321, three airbus A320 and two airbus A319," he said.

"Airblue plans to start two daily flights from Sharjah to Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad or Peshawar," he said. The schedule has been made keeping in mind the increasing Pakistani community and the high demand in Sharjah market for northern Pakistani cities, he added.

Airblue, which started operations in 2004, is one of the country's two private domestic carriers. At present, it flies to seven Pakistani cities, as well as three flights to Dubai in the UAE and Manchester in Britain. The airline currently operates six A320s.

Nasir Ali pointed out that Sharjah is the first step in the present expansion plan of the airline. In winter schedule starting from October, Airblue plans to introduce new international destinations with flights to Delhi, Muscat and Kuwait from various Pakistani cities. The airline has good prospects for growth in Europe and the Middle East, he said.

He said the airline is planning for future long-term expansion very strategically and is primarily focusing on markets with concentrations of Pakistani nationals. "We will add new destinations gradually with the induction of new aircraft under the $500 million deal signed last year at Dubai Airshow with Airbus for 14 A320s," he said. "Airblue is the first private airline to have placed an order for 14 brand new A320 aircraft."

"The airline prides itself with having the youngest fleet of aircraft in Pakistan. The scheduled delivery of these aircraft starts from June 2009 at nearly three to six month intervals. With the addition of these new aircraft to the fleet, Airblue will expand operations to more European destinations including London, Scandinavian cities and also more flights to Middle East, Far East and Saudi Arabia," he explained.

"These are difficult times for the aviation industry because of the surging fuel prices," he observed. In reply to a question he said, the airline has not passed on the burden of rising fuel prices to passengers and instead followed cost-cutting measures to maintain the financial discipline in the competitive market.

Source: Khaleej Times

HYDERABAD, July 17: The Hyderabad airport, which was shut down 10 years ago, would be operational from August 3, said a spokesman of the district government.

The spokesman said that the Civil Aviation Authority had started renovation work at the airport.

The reopening of the airport has been a long-standing demand of the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the people of the city.

District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil had pursued the matter and the airport is now reopening under the prime minister’s orders.

Former prime minister Shaukat Aziz had also passed the orders to reopen the airport but his orders were not implemented.

i need to fly from islamabad (or karachi) to toronto in the 3rd week of august.

whats the cheapest option? fahad?

i saw on KLM's website a specifial offer of Rs. 60,000 + tax and surcharage, but, the guy at their islamabad office told me about Rs. 120,000 (you cant book online)

i need to fly from islamabad (or karachi) to toronto in the 3rd week of august.

whats the cheapest option? fahad?

You are asking the wrong person, the bastard fly's for free!















































































AND HE STILL WONT GET ME ONE! :cry:


*cries by the suitcase*

Aviation Policy 2008 to attract private sector

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: National Aviation Policy 2008 aims at allowing private sector to construct and operate new and existing airports, to start private air taxi service through aircrafts, helicopters on chartered or non-chartered basis, 10-year tax holiday will also be offered to the companies intending manufacturing aircrafts in Pakistan.

National Aviation Policy 2008 is likely to be presented before the federal cabinet in its next meeting for formal approval to facilitate national aviation sector surpass air traffic growth from 7% to over 8% per annum.

Market Access in Air Service: Pakistan shall liberalise bilateral arrangements on reciprocal basis with our bilateral partners to provide service from/to Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad after completion of new airport to the destinations in Western Europe, North America and Africa and to destinations towards East.

While finalising new Air Service Agreements (ASAs), multiple airlines designation clause and article on Code-Share shall be incorporated. There shall be no commercial agreements as part of bilateral agreements. However, airlines shall be free to enter into such co-operative marketing arrangements as are mutually agreeable, which would be outside of ASAs.

Market Access in Cargo Service: Pakistan shall continue to follow open skies policy for cargo operations based on 3rd, 4th, 5th freedom traffic rights. Karachi and Gwadar international airports to shall be promoted as transshipment hub. Cargo villages shall be established on public private partnership at major international airports and linked with National Trade Corridor.

Paid up Capital and Fleet Registration: Paid up capital for Regular Public Transport License shall be increased from Rs.100 million to Rs.500 million, which shall be reviewed periodically by CAA Board. Fleet registration in Pakistan shall be mandatory for all Pakistani aircraft operators except pure cargo aircrafts. Requirement of minimum fleet size for a Regular Public Transport (RPT) license holder shall be at least 3 airworthy aircrafts for domestic operations and at least 4 airworthy aircrafts for international operations. There shall be no permanent addition to capacity by inducting foreign registered aircraft on wet lease other than pure cargo aircraft. Temporary induction of foreign registered aircraft on wet lease may be permitted under extra ordinary circumstances for a short period subject to a maximum period of 90 days. For induction of aircraft, the criteria of minimum remaining operational cycles/hours shall be prescribed by the Director General CAA through Air Navigational Order (ANO).

Tax Holiday: Some 10 year tax holiday would be granted to air craft manufacturers to encourage them invest in aircraft manufacturing units in Pakistan along with establishment of aircraft maintenance companies, flying training schools and ground training schools. Government would rationalize and reduce taxes chargeable to passengers on international and domestic routes. The government would also exempt all taxes and duties on air tickets on secondary destinations. The same privilege shall be extended to operators of small aircrafts and helicopters.

Security equipments and weapons imported by Airport Security Force, CAA, private airports and other operators shall also be exempted from all taxes and duties.

Air Taxi Service: New National Aviation Policy to introduce Air Taxi Service Concept in Pakistan. According to the draft policy document, about 64% of Pakistan population lives in rural areas, with little or no access to air travel even in emergency, for want of air strip, helicopter, helipads and suitable aircrafts to commute to/from remote areas. There are fairly large numbers of cities, which are developed to adopt the concept of air taxi and private owned aircraft for commuting.

In order to develop Air Taxi Service concept in Pakistan the procedure for acquisition and operation of aircrafts, including helicopter, micro-light ultra-light air crafts and hot air balloons shall be liberalized to encourage travel and sports activities.

Use of helicopters for tourism, emergency operations and adventure sports in private sector would be promoted and encouraged and no charges would be imposed for such operations. Liberalized guidelines would be formulated, in consultation with users, to promote and encourage private investment in flying clubs, air taxi service, private ownership of the aircraft, and aero-sports activities i.e. hang gliding, ballooning, heli-skiing and para-jumping. Flying clubs shall be facilitated to overcome shortage of pilots in the country i.e. to develop air strips out side control zones of major air ports fort exclusive use of training flights and to lease Civil Aviation facilities to flying clubs where available.

Charter Service: Under the new policy domestic charter operations would be allowed to Pakistani Operators only using Pakistani registered aircraft including helicopters flown by Pakistani pilots. International charter originating from Pakistan would be allowed on all international routes irrespective of the scheduled operations. On routes

Commercialization of Airports: “Airport Cities” shall be developed including hotels on public private partnership at all major airports. Vacant land at airports shall be evaluated and developed for construction of aviation facilities like cargo complexes and aircraft maintenance facilities. Land at remote and non-operational airports shall be utilized for non-aeronautical commercial and recreational purposes. CAA shall formulate land lease policy to make it commercially viable for private investors.

New Airports: Construction of new commercial airports would be permitted to meet the air traffic. Private sector shall be free to construct and operate new as well as existing airports, airstrips, helipads, heliports including cargo complexes on BOO, BOT, or any other management arrangement and to raise non-aeronautical revenues from these premises. Privatization of airports shall be pursued to make them more efficient and productive.

Consumers Protection: To protect the interests of the users, facilitation committee consisting representatives from government, passengers, travel and tour operators, aircraft operators, airport operators, exporters, importers, cargo handling agents, aero-sports and flying clubs would be set up at national regional and local levels.

Source: Daily Times

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will render airport calibration services to Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia and will generate Rs 17.5 million ($0.25 million), officials told Daily Times.

According to the official sources, the CAA has recently signed contracts with the two countries for providing them all necessary technical requirements to update their airports.

They said CAA will utilise its one of the two newly state-of-art calibration aircraft to update Bangladesh’s three international and six domestic airports. CAA would also serve Saudia Arabia’s airports as per its requirement on agreed terms and conditions.

Officials told that CAA would be provided services charges on hour and expenditure cost basis so it could earn more than the estimated Rs 17.5 million. They said the CAA is rendering its calibration services to Bangladesh and S Arabia for the first time in the history, and it is seeking service-providing opportunities in more countries particularly in Gulf and Asia.

An official, on the condition of anonymity, told Daily Times that CAA would earn around Rs 7 million ($0.1 million) from Bangladesh for its estimated two to three weeks service period from August. Besides, he added, Saudia Arabia will demand airports’ services occasionally through out the current fiscal year 2008-09. CAA has signed Rs 10.5 million ($0.15 million) deal with Saudia Arabia.

CAA official told that the regulator would bear all its expenses including fuel consumption bill that would be used during the flight operations of calibration process.

“Pakistan is focusing to enhance its business through extending its calibration services to the other countries keeping in view the lucrative market of Middle Eastern, Central Asian and African countries,” an official added.

CAA bought these two calibration aircrafts in June. The aircrafts were purchased at $15.2 million from US company, Hawker Beech Corporation.

The primary purpose of purchasing these aircraft is to fulfill the country’s needs because Pakistan has 43 airports including nine international airports, which needed to be kept updated in accordance with international aviation rules, it is learnt.

According to the contract signed by Bangladesh and Saudia Arabia with Pakistan, CAA will update and accurate the airport communication systems, landing, navigation and visual aids, for safe operation of air traffic as per the guidelines defined by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). These systems direct the landing and flying positions to pilots who arrive and depart from an airport.

The ICAO recommends every country to test all its communication, navigational, visual landing and other safety systems in accordance with a given time schedule in order to regulate air traffic with the minimum risk of any accident.

Currently, the CAA has three calibration aircrafts including its 30-year old Beech Super King B200, which had also been utilised to earn huge foreign exchange of around $4 million so far.

This calibration aircraft has done handsome business by providing services to almost 11 countries.

Sialkot: The management of Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) has inked two pacts with Emirates International Airlines and Arabian Airlines for soon launch of cargo and passenger flights direct from recently established Sialkot international airport to Dubai, Sharja and other Gulf States. The high-ranking officials of SIAL, Emirates and Arabian Airlines signed these agreements during a special ceremony held. Chairman SIAL Ghulam Mustafa Choudhary disclosed this while talking to the newsmen here Thurday. Senior Vice Chairman Dr. Sarfraz Bashir, General Manager Muhammad Nawaz Choudhary and Chairman SIALIs media committee M. Zafar Malik were also present on this occasion. Chairman SIAL said under these agreements, the Emirates International Airlines will soon start two direct cargo flights weekly from Sialkot international airport to Dubai, while Arabian International Airlines would also soon start a direct passenger flight once a week from Sialkot to Sharja and other Gulf States. SIAL Chairman said that SIAL has decided to establish some new and modern export oriented industries at the land around the Sialkot airport in active collaboration with the business communities of China and Japan.

It's my guess that they're talking about Air Arabia and not Arabian Airlines.

New Delhi: Indian Kingfisher Airlines, plans to launch a service to Lahore, Pakistan along with other overseas destinations by September 2008.
The airline applied to Directorate General of Civil Aviation for permission to commence operations on new route, under provisions of bilateral air
services agreement signed between India and Pakistan.
Airline will deploy an ATR 72 aircraft on Delhi-Lahore route.

Biggest Airports of Pakistan {Passenger Size} (2006-07)

Note: Rounded up figures in the Brackets and only those Airports are listed which carried more than 50 thousand passengers.

1. Karachi:

Domestic: 2,881,319 (2.88 Million)

International: 3,200,129 (3.2 Million)

Total: 6,081,448 (6.08 Million)


2. Lahore

Domestic: 1,401,268 (1.4 Million)

International: 1,690,322 (1.69 Million)

Total: 3,091,590 (3.09 Million)


3. Islamabad:

Domestic: 1,435,824 (1.44 Million)

International: 1,600,142 (1.60 Million)

Total: 3,035,966 (3.04 Million)


4. Peshawar:

Domestic: 231,712

International: 659,230

Total: 890,942 (0.9 Million)


5. Quetta:

Domestic: 255,490

International: 29,339

Total: 284,829 (0.28 Million)


6. Multan:

Domestic: 227,114

International: 13,459

Total: 240,573 (0.24 Million)


7. Faisalabad:

Domestic: 171,806

International: 17,533

Total: 189,339 (0.19 Million)


8. Sukkur

Domestic: 80,302

International: ----

Total: 80,302


9. Rahim Yar Khan

Domestic: 50,673

International: ----

Total: 50,673

-------------------------------------------------

BONUS: New Port City of Gwadar

14TH in Overall Rankings

Domestic: 28,051

International: 1,328

Total: 29,379

LINK to all of it: http://www.caapakistan.com.pk/downloads/Major%20Traffic%20by%20Airports%202006-07.pdf

Btw guys, I wanna clear something up. When they say "2006-07", they mean the year 2006, right? Not 2007. Am I right? :?

P.S: There is no data for Sialkot Int'l Airport as it only became operational in November 2007. After the release of this data.

First and biggest ever international airport constructed in the private sector in Pakistan, at a cost of over Rs 2.6 billion became operational on November 30, 2007. President Pervez Musharraf formally inaugurated the Rs 2.6 billion Sialkot International Airport December 11, 2007; the country’s first built by the private sector.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sialkot_International_Airport

Location of the Top 4 Airports & Gwadar:

http://gc.kls2.com/cgi-bin/gcmap?PATH=KHI,LHE,ISB,PEW,GWD&PATH-COLOR=red

By 2006-07, they mean the fiscal year, which is infact an entire year.

That's strange, coz airport traffic figures are always for a complete year and NOT fiscal years.

The figures for RYK are sorta misleading. They don't count charters from the Middle East.

But then I don't think any of those count charters. I pointed RYK solely coz it was made for that sole purpose.

KARACHI — Pakistan's fastest growing private carrier, airblue, suffered a major setback in its expansion plan when the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA), Government of Sharjah, has for the time being put on hold the landing rights to operate from Sharjah International Airport from August 14, 2008.

Aviation sources here while confirming the news revealed that the withdrawal of permission may cause the Pakistani private carrier huge financial losses, as it had launched an expensive marketing campaign and made over a thousand bookings on the Lahore-Sharjah and Peshawar-Sharjah sector.

Source: Khaleej Times

By 2006-07, they mean the fiscal year, which is infact an entire year.

Ok. According to the CIA World Factbook. The Pakistani Fiscal Year starts from 1st July and ends at 30th June. So this data was for the time between 1st July 2006 to 30th June 2007.

KARACHI: Development of seven airports is under way while work on mega airport city projects, which will make Karachi and Lahore hubs for transit flights, will start shortly, said Farooq Rehmatullah, Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Besides this expansion to cater to more passengers and aircraft, the aim is also to commercialise the airports to shift CAA’s revenue stream in favour of non-aeronautical earning, he added.

“Civil aviation authorities around the world derive 40 to 60 per cent of their income from commercial activities,” he said in an interview with The News.

This income, which is earned from duty-free shops and shopping malls at airports, was only 20 per cent in case of Pakistan when Rehmatullah took over the helm of affairs as the aviation regulator and airport manager two years back. Now it has increased to 30 per cent. “Our ultimate objective is to take it to at least 40 per cent,” he said.

Increase in commercial revenues help authorities reduce aeronautical income, which comprises mostly of charges airlines pay for using a country’s airspace. Subsequently, such destinations become more lucrative for airlines to land.

Among the airports, which are being developed, the New Islamabad International Airport is the flagship project of CAA. Being built at a total cost of Rs50 billion, it will address the problem of air traffic congestion in the capital.

Similarly work on other neglected airports has been initiated as well, he said, referring to construction of new terminal building at Skardu airport, provision of snow moving equipment at Chitral airport, inclusion of Khyber Road on the premises of Peshawar airport to provide for more aircraft parking space and extension of Lahore airport.

Besides the development of airports, CAA has also embarked upon changing the decades old radars installed at major airports. The induction of new calibration aircraft will help CAA maintain the accuracy of aircraft guidance system at home and sale calibration services to other countries.

But for Farooq Rehmatullah, whose tenure comes to an end later this month, the triumphing achievement was changing the working environment in the lethargic organization.

“One thing which was lacking (in CAA) was that there was traditional government way of working where a file moves through 10 people and yet decision was not taken,” he said. “We are now implementing ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, which will be in place within next 18 months.”

This, he said, will assist the management in taking sound decisions and provide required information at push of a button.

The tedious file culture and lengthy clearance procedures had also long barred cash resourceful CAA from investing in development projects.

“Our capacity to invest was only Rs500 million to Rs800 million a year, a budget of more than this always lapsed,” he said, recalling that in his first year he fixed capital expenditure of Rs4 billion but hardly Rs1 billion could be spent.

“The problem was that there were 27 steps that a proposal had to go through. By the time the steps were completed, the year had passed. So, now we have brought those down to 7 and as result of that this financial year we have spent Rs6 billion.”

CAA has also prepared a five-year business plan, which seeks to increase its revenues to Rs30 billion from current Rs13bn.

For Rehmatullah, ex-Chairman of Shell Pakistan, restructuring of CAA was a task he thinks he has achieved. Under the restructured model, the three core areas of regulatory, airport services and navigation have been separated. This, he says, is now helping each department to achieve their targets and has improved the decision making process.

However, growth in domestic traffic has not resulted in much needed increase in number of flights. While CAA might have succeeded in signing and renewing air services agreements with many countries, not much has happened on this part either.

“It is a commercial proposition,” he said, adding, “If you make money you jump into the business. But this year airlines are losing money and that has dampened growth.”

During last year growth in domestic air traffic has been negative 2-3 percent due to lack of capacity, he said. “Air blue pulled two of its aircraft, Aero Asia was grounded and PIA grounded its 747 aircraft. So the overall capacity was reduced.”

A new and liberal aviation policy introduced last year will address some of these by liberalising country’s airspace and increasing competition. “The draft (of the aviation policy) will be presented to the cabinet for approval anytime now.”

Asked if he was not worried that most of the projects launched under his command were in their infancy and could be affected by his departure, he said: “Leadership’s primary responsibility is to prepare a successor and I have done that.”

CAA oblivious to air accord violations by Gulf carriers (http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=792581&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=)
IQBAL MIRZA

KARACHI (August 15 2008): The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is turning a blind eye to the violations of bilateral air agreements by airlines, particularly Gulf carriers by picking up sixth freedom traffic from Pakistan. Bilateral agreements allow only third and fourth freedom, ie, Origin and Destination (O&D) traffic, but the Gulf carriers pick up passengers for their hub from where they are transferred on their flights to destinations in UK and USA.

The CAA appears finds itself helpless in protecting the interests of Pakistani airlines operating, or have shown interest in expanding their network in the Gulf region. The recent example is that of Pakistani private sector carrier, Air Blue, which was allowed landing rights by the Department of Civil Aviation, Sharjah, but suddenly the permission was put on hold resulting in heavy losses to the airlines. The Air Blue had planned to operate to Sharjah with their newly acquired Airbus A-319 from August 14, and had made extensive marketing in this regard.

According to information available here one of the main reasons for this turn around by the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation was that it had asked for an increase in the frequency for Air Arabia which is operating six flights a week to Pakistan for another six flights. The Air Arabia is Sharjah-based cheapest regional airline, which is fast spreading its wings to catch up with other Gulf carriers.

Air Blue Managing Director Syed Nasir Ali told Business Recorder here on Thursday that following the disruption of planned flights to Sharjah, he visited Abu Dhabi and Muscat and secured landing rights from their Civil Aviation departments. The Air Blue will now start operating four weekly flights to Abu Dhabi from August 24 from Lahore and three weekly flights between Lahore and Muscat from September 15.

He said the Air Blue has acquired two Airbus A-319 from a US carrier - Skybus, which went bust on dry lease. These aircraft, which are as good as brand new, would operate on Abu Dhabi and Muscat sectors. Not only the Pakistani private sector carriers, even the national carrier feels strongly about the revision of CAA's policy of deregulation which must be drawn up on the basis of reciprocity to protect the siphoning off traffic, which is badly hurting the interests of these airlines.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2008

Oh, it finally dawned upon everyone that Gulf carriers are raping Pakistan? The problem is that they invest so much here, that if we don't allow them to rape us, they'll not ivnest their money. Allow Emirates just 14 flights a week and then watch all the carriers come to Karachi. Right now Karachi has become a feeder airport for Dubai, and to some lesser extent other Gulf emirates and states.

Can you elaborate on the feeder airport comment?

By we I mean KArachi.

It's not official lingo, I just used that work, don't know the correct word for it. What I'm trying to say is that we 'feed' passengers to them. If I want to go the the US, I'll first go to Dubai, and then onwards from there. We 'feed' the traffic. If you go to the airport, at any given time you'll find that almost 60-100% of the flights are to the ME. One time there were about 7 or 8 flights just to Dubai in a span of about a couple of hours or so. I go to the airport often and always observe the arrivals and departures. It's like we only travel to the ME, Lahore and Islamabad.

It's not official lingo, I just used that work, don't know the correct word for it. What I'm trying to say is that we 'feed' passengers to them. If I want to go the the US, I'll first go to Dubai, and then onwards from there. We 'feed' the traffic. If you go to the airport, at any given time you'll find that almost 60-100% of the flights are to the ME. One time there were about 7 or 8 flights just to Dubai in a span of about a couple of hours or so. I go to the airport often and always observe the arrivals and departures. It's like we only travel to the ME, Lahore and Islamabad.

You are right. This needs to be rectified immediately. People going to the US should connect from the UK. Or better yet the US should allow direct flights from Karachi to NYC. These ME airlines should be forced to come to Pakistan directly from NA/European routes.

Sir, you can't come directly. Read up on freedoms of the air. And even if they could, they won't coz they operate with the assumption thatthey'll stop in their home country. Their whole business model is based around that.

Anyway, the solution is to limit their flights. There around around a 80-100 flights b/w just Dubai and Karachi per week. 35 just for Emirates. Cut the total down to 30 and watch other carriers flock to Karachi. That won't happen though.

It's not official lingo, I just used that work, don't know the correct word for it. What I'm trying to say is that we 'feed' passengers to them. If I want to go the the US, I'll first go to Dubai, and then onwards from there. We 'feed' the traffic. If you go to the airport, at any given time you'll find that almost 60-100% of the flights are to the ME. One time there were about 7 or 8 flights just to Dubai in a span of about a couple of hours or so. I go to the airport often and always observe the arrivals and departures. It's like we only travel to the ME, Lahore and Islamabad.

This is true for all over Pakistan, though. The vast majority of Int'l flights from Pakistan, are to the ME. Then the next biggest flow is towards Western Europe & North America. And nothing really to other parts of the world.

Yes, it's true of all the cities, and I hate that.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC02642.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa99/rexervoirdog/DSC02640.jpg

Almost half the flights are to/from Dubai.

To end this discussion about the Emirates raping us, I present unto you a rather scathing peice of criticism, sure to offend some and flare many ego's.........."beggar's cannot be choosers"...........its as simple as that.


Haath mein kashkol liyay zindagi guzaarnay ka anjaam hai yeh. :no:

JIAP! Thank god they put the "P" in it, otherwise itll be JIA :lol:, which is kinda retarded, I mean Jinnah International Airport Pakistan, why the Pakistan, no Karachi? :(

You thankless git! You should thank it hasn't been named BBSA-II. The way things are going you should be thankful about anything in Pakistan that isn't yet named Benazir Bhutto.

On a serious note, I think it's just a blunder on someone's part.

You thankless git! You should thank it hasn't been named BBSA-II. The way things are going you should be thankful about anything in Pakistan that isn't yet named Benazir Bhutto.

On a serious note, I think it's just a blunder on someone's part.

BBSA-II :lol:

Yeah it should be JIAK or KJIA.

Karachi: Pakistan’s private sector airline, Airblue, has its fleet expanded with the induction of two new Airbus A319 aircraft in its fleet, increasing its size to 8 aircraft. The latest fly-by-wire technology Airbus A319 aircraft, manufactured in 2008, have been acquired on dry lease and arrived in Pakistan from Amman on August 11 and will start scheduled flights from August I8. Each aircraft has a configuration of 144 all economy class leather seats and airblue is first airline in Pakistan to introduce new single aisle aircraft in last 25 years. The two brand new aircraft were lined up on the Tramac opposite the VIP Lounge at Terminal 1 of Jinnah International Airport for viewing by members of the electronic and print media, Senior CAA officials, frequent flyers of the Blue Miles program and airblue business partners. Later one of the aircraft operated a demonstration flight for the guests.
Rather than offering both Business and Economy seating, the airline has introduced whole-cabin economy seating.
Plans are also underway for video-on-demand and other services typically associated with first class travel, for the new 14 A320 aircraft under order with airbus. The delivery of these aircraft will start from July 2009. In four years, Airblue has grown to the largest private airline in Pakistan, introducing innovations in customer convenience such as e-ticketing, wireless mobile check-in and self check-in kiosks. The airline currently has flights to 6 major domestic cities in Pakistan and 3 daily flights to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, as well as a daily Flight between Manchester in the United Kingdom and Islamabad. With the induction of new aircraft in its fleet airblue plans to expand its domestic operations to Multan, Sukkur and flights between Islamabad and Lahore and international operations to Kuwait, Muscat, Delhi and Bombay.

^^ Nice :yes:

HYDERABAD, Aug 19: Increase in petroleum prices has compelled Pakistan International Airlines to raise its tariff, said Managing Director Capt Haroon Ejaz and rejected reports that its pilgrimage fares are higher than those of the airlines of neighbouring countries.

He advised the pilgrims not to miss flights on return as they had been given boarding cards in advance for their own convenience.

Responding to journalists’ queries at the airport here on Tuesday after sending off 18 passengers through PK-640 from Hyderabad, the MD dismissed reports that PIA’s fare tariff was different to what India, Bangladesh and Malaysia were offering to their pilgrims.

“We have strictly monitored tariffs of other countries and our tariff is at par with theirs. He avoided commenting on people’s reaction to it.

To another query, he said the government cannot indulge in experiments by involving private airlines in such a huge event. Who will take the responsibility if a chaos erupts, he shot back. However, Afghanistan approaches PIA for transportation of pilgrims, he said.

Admitting logistic issues, he said PIA would use jumbo jets in forthcoming Hajj operations. He said there were some problems in PIA’s 737 aircraft which were being addressed to, while order had been placed for Boeing parts.

He said PIA would start flight operations from Dera Ismail Khan while it was trying to overcome the losses. He said with the rise of one dollar in fuel charges, PIA faces a difference of Rs400 million.

http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/20/images/local06.jpg

HYDERABAD, Aug 19: The government will help revive the glory of Hyderabad by providing infrastructure for basic necessities, said Federal Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Investment Syed Naveed Qamar.

He was speaking at a ceremony to mark resumption of PIA flights from Hyderabad on Tuesday.

He said the city would return to its former state with the combined efforts of all stakeholders, including traders, industrialists, agriculturists and public representatives. He praised the people who strived in the resumption of flights from here. The airport should be made sustainable so that direct flights could be made available from Hyderabad in future, said the minister.

He asked the officers concerned of Civil Aviation Authority to prepare PC-I to make Hyderabad Airport feasible for landing of Boeing, Air Bus and 737 planes in future.

He promised to fulfil the demand of providing refuelling facility put up by District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil for ensured direct flights to Islamabad. He said PIA’s problems would also be addressed to make it a profitable organisation.

PIA Managing Director Capt Aijaz Haroon said resumption of flights was one of the promises of Benazir Bhutto now fulfilled with the cooperation of all.Initially, the management initiated two flights with ATR planes from Hyderabad via Nawabshah, Lahore and Islamabad on Tuesdays and Fridays, while direct flights could be operated if refuelling facility was provided at the airport, he said.

Provision of basic requirements, including a developed road and public transport facility from city to airport was essential to make flight operations successful, he said.

The Managing Director assured cargo facility by road from Hyderabad to Karachi to facilitate traders, industrialists and agriculturists.

Captain Aijaz Haroon said PIA was facing huge financial losses for which the government should come to its rescue as was in other industries.

Director General, Civil Aviation Authority, Sajid Habib assured expansion of runway subject to an increase in passengers. He said the CAA will re-carpet the airport along with the landing facility for Boeing planes, if and when the air traffic increased.

President, Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Haji Muhammad Yaqoob appreciated the efforts of District Nazim Hyderabad in resuming flights from airport and demanded the PIA management to mount more flights.

District Nazim thanked Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for resumption of flights from Hyderabad adding that the move would gear up business and sports activities.He also thanked Naveed Qamar and MNA Salahuddin for raising the issue at the floor of the Assembly. He said flight resumption was made possible with PIA’s cooperation.

He said Hyderabad’s was the only airport among smaller ones where night landing was available and refuelling facility will make it sustainable.

District Nazim said landing of Boeing planes could be possible if the runway was expanded from 7,000 meters to 9,000 meters. He said cargo flights would be beneficial to growers of Hyderabad and its adjoining area.

[QUOTE=singaporean;24233744]http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/20/images/local06.jpg

OMG This is so unbelievable……the aircraft show in pic is an ATR42 not Cessna, poor Dawn:ohno:

KARACHI: Airblue has started operations between Lahore and Islamabad with a 144-seater brand new next-generation Airbus A319 aircraft with leather appointed seats to meet the increasing demand on this sector between the two cities which was not being serviced to the satisfaction of the consumer.

Airblue, now having the youngest fleet in Pakistan, will be operating two daily flights between Lahore and Islamabad. The flight departure timings will be 7:30 am and 7:30 pm daily from Lahore to Islamabad and at 8:30 am and 8:30 pm from Islamabad to Lahore. Airblue inducted two new Airbus A319 aircraft in its fleet at an impressive Ceremony in Karachi where 144 guests including officials from the Civil Aviation Authority, Airport Security Force, other airport agencies and representatives of the electronic and print media experienced a 20-minute demonstration flight.

AirBlue, Pakistan’s biggest private airline, is looking to corner the lucrative Gulf market with four more destinations set to follow the launch of its Abu Dhabi service on Sunday.

Four flights a week will operate between Lahore and Abu Dhabi International Airport with the airline hoping to step the service up to twice daily as demand from the estimated 300,000 Pakistani expatriates living in the emirate increases.

Building on the success of AirBlue’s existing Dubai service, the carrier revealed it planned to start a Lahore to Muscat, Oman, operation from September 15 and to fly to Kuwait City by the end of the year.

With around 600,000 Pakistani nationals in the UAE, the carrier said it also wanted to increase its routes in the country, with two to three weekly flights to Al Ain from Peshawar commencing in three months time.

It said it was still committed to launching its Sharjah operations despite having to halt the service earlier this month after being denied access to the airport. The airline said it could commence the service within two to three weeks of being given permission to start operations to the airport.

AirBlue carries around 30,000 passengers each month between Pakistan and Dubai.

The service began in 2005, a year after AirBlue started operations. AirBlue’s only other international service is to Manchester in the UK.

At a reception ceremony to mark the airline’s first flight into Abu Dhabi, the 40th carrier to operate from the airport, AirBlue said its target for the route would be 4 to 5,000 passengers per month.

Sarosh Bhatti, general manager of marketing for AirBlue, said: “The UAE is our most important market because the growth rate is there, the yield is there and the expansion is there.

“There are a lot of Pakistanis who are coming to visit the UAE and a lot who are working here and a lot of Pakistanis who have invested in the UAE in real estate.”

He said the rising cost of oil meant fuel now formed 50 to 55 percent of the airline’s overall operational costs but it was overcoming the problem by cost control measures including reducing commission for travel agents, offering snacks instead of meals on some flights and using only one engine when taxiing.

Mohammed Al Bulooki, VP, airline marketing and aeronautical revenue at ADAC, said : “We are sure that AirBlue will prosper on this route and we are sure they will increase their frequencies into Abu Dhabi. Within the past year or so $7bn of trade has happened between the UAE and Pakistan and we hope AirBlue will add to this impressive core.”

http://www.arabianbusiness.com/528780-airblue-on-runway-to-major-gulf-expansion?ln=en

For some reason I don't consider UAE an international destination. And in general, the GCC.