In the link: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010\12\23\story_23-12-2010_pg5_7, it is stated that:

"MOS/Chairman informed that AirBlue is the first private airline of Pakistan to provide state-of-the-art air travel services and buy brand new aircraft. He said the government has made National Aviation Policy so accommodating that privately owned airlines like AirBlue, Shaheen etc can purchase/lease aircraft even like Airbus A330 from France or other manufactures without intervening of government."

Is there really a progress of planes like A330 etc. coming to Pakistani air carriers???

Moreover, which type of aircrafts is PIA purchasing in near future???

Air blue had already received one brand new aircraft A320 and 2 used A319 are also going to arrive in Pakistan

Regarding the PIA there are some rumours come out with the intervals of time so wait and watch

Apparently Chairman of the Board of Investment and Minister of State for Investment Saleem H. Mandviwalla simply said that privately-owned airlines like Shaheen Air and AirBlue can buy/lease aircraft like for example Airbus A330 under country's national aviation policy. So I don't seen any thing exciting in that news report.

So far, Shaheen Air has not indicated any plan to induct modern aircraft like A330 in their fleet.

Few years ago, AirBlue had plan to induct A330 but that plan did not become reality.

Procurement of large and modern aircraft like A330 depends on financial position and route network of airlines like AirBlue and Shaheen Air. And if these two airlines have enough resources/funds available then they obviously can induct large aircraft according to their route network requirements.

There could also be typographical error in that news report, probably minister was giving example of a brand new A320 (AP-EDA) acquired by AirBlue not A330.

Abbas

_________________
Nothing's gonna change my love for you.

See you at:

I don't think Shaheen would be willing to expand their fleet because if we compare airblue and shaheen, it is clear that airblue is taking a huge leap to go as far as Manchester with a plane which can't go that distance without a technical stop. Surely airblue could be thinking of A333, A343 etc. but this coming to reality seems to be very far. Maybe Airblue will but I have no reports on airblue funds and income!

But looking at our passengers amount from and abroad of Pakistan, there is no doubt we need planes like A330.

(I know people will be saying to me, PIA should improve their service first then induct planes)

Air Blue has no current plans to induct any widebody a/c into their fleet. The MOS was merely giving an example of the type of a/c they 'could' induct.

_________________
Moin Abbasi