UK-based Regal Group acquires Aero Asia

[Abbas Ali]

Found the following information after visit to Aero Asia website:

UK-based Regal Group (link: www.rfplc.com) has acquired Aero Asia from its original owners Tabani Group (link: www.tabanigroup.com).

Logo of Regal Group is now appearing on Aero Asia website (link: www.aeroasia.com).

Let's hope better & bright future for Aero Asia under its new owners.

[zEro.a1r]

Nice! Its good to see some economic activity, a dead airline sitting around is no good where every day costs millions. Regal Group has an interesting profile. They sell confectionaries...

After looking at AirBlue and Aero Asia job openings, I sooo just want to get a CPL LOL! And lets hope they phase out their DC-9s

[Moin]

Well they'll probably have their hands full now.

Job No.1: Pay off those CAA dues. Everything else comes later.

[zEro.a1r]

LOL! Welcome to the Pakistani Airspace! With garlands and boquets of debts (joke)

[sAAd]

A fleet replacement would be on their minds

[Abbas Ali]

Also new corporate identity and livery for aircraft; and probably a completely new name for the airline.

[chevron]

With no experience of running an Airline what good chances are there that they will succeed?

Example of SafeAir is there.

[flyingsystem]

Also new corporate identity and livery for aircraft; and probably a completely new name for the airline.

Yeah, the current livery is so bad!

[malpensa26]

Airlines accused of cashing in on Aero Asia's closure
By Ashfaq Ahmed, Staff Reporter



Dubai: Most airlines operating between the UAE and Pakistan have increased their fares by 15 to 30 per cent, with the temporary closure of Aero Asia pushing up demand for flights.

Residents have expressed concern over the airlines' decision to increase fares.

"This is exploitation and there should be a check on this," said Jamil Khan, who was planning to go to Pakistan with his wife and four children during the summer vacation.

"I have to pay at least Dh1,000 extra due to the sudden increase," he said.

Two Pakistani airlines, Shaheen Air International and Aero Asia were grounded on May 22 by Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) because they defaulted on payments. While Shaheen Air managed to resume its operation after three days, Aero Asia is still grounded.

"It was a big setback for passengers especially the blue-collar group, because Aero Asia always offered very competitive rates, benefiting people with a low income," said one travel agent in Dubai.

He said other airlines including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Shaheen Air and Air Blue had increased rates since Aero Asia's grounding.

"It is also high season because of the summer holidays and the airlines are exploiting passengers who are now left with fewer options," he said.

According to a market survey by Gulf News, PIA has increased its fares by at least Dh130 during the last 15 days while Shaheen Air has increased its fares by Dh250.

Another Pakistani airline, Air Blue, which started its operations from Dubai late last year, is also charging at least Dh300 to Dh400 more on the fare it was offering 20 days ago on its route from Dubai to Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.

Syed Qurbe Irtiza, Country Manager of Air Blue, told Gulf News: "Ours is an online ticketing system and our fares are determined by our system as per demand. We have touched a maximum of Dh1,580 because of high demand since Aero Asia's operation was stopped. But usually we sell two-way tickets for Dh1,200 to Dh1,400 because of high demand. It was between Dh 750 to Dh 950 early last month."

He said the airline was doing well and would increase its number of flights in the near future.

"Aero Asia' s closure has left a big gap in the market as the airline operated at least 30 flights a week between UAE and Pakistan," said Umar, a leading travel agent in Dubai.

Aero Asia will resume its operations this month, Mohammad Murad, the airline's Regional Manager, told Gulf News.

He said that a UK-based multinational company, the Regal Group, had bought the airline from its previous owner, the Tabbani Group, in Pakistan.

"We are set to fly again with the same name but a new management as all issues related to payment to Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority have been resolved," Murad said.

He said the airline would make a comeback with a new image. "We apologise to our patrons who missed our flights and suffered a lot. We are preparing to resume our domestic operation in Pakistan and flights from Dubai within the next few days," he said

[Moin]

I guess they're prepping a few 737-200's in the mojave right now as we read this.

I'd be very surprised, maybe even shocked if they opt for a/c the likes of even a 737-400/500.

[PK777]

I guess they're prepping a few 737-200's in the mojave right now as we read this.

I'd be very surprised, maybe even shocked if they opt for a/c the likes of even a 737-400/500.

Moin just like you im not expecting anything.

Im assuming this is the end of "Aero Asia International", as the airline has been over taken by Regal Group? As chevron has said, as Regal is a food based manufacturing company what qualifies them to run an airline in the volitile Pakistani aviation industry? This company looks like it has no past experience in the aviation industry, it looks like they must have just aquired the assets just to buy some share in a bankrupt company which is in liquidation. They may have bought the shares/assets which they will try to promote new ideas and jobs that will end up being for nothing.

The news article posted my malpensa26 does not seem to state any details about the fuel prices surely they have played a part in the price hikes not only the closure of the Aero Asia?

[flyingsystem]

In fact the profits in airlines is always very small. The managment have to be very carefull and experienced to make profit.

I've an example of an airline in Belgium: "VG Airlines", it was managed not correctly and after a few months of sevice, it was sold to "Delsey", a luggage maker company! It became "Delsay airline", but the fact that they dont have experience in airline industry made this airline bankcrupt.

[AP-BGL]

We can't acctually say that the company which has taken over Aero-Asia would not be able to handle airline business ust because they were not earlier involved in this particular type.

Obviously they would hire number of expertise to run their business for different sections. All they need is handsome amount of finance and proper management system.

Best of Luck for the new company.

[Moin]

Its possible that they'll retain those airline employees without whom the airline would not be able to function. Its just the ownership thats changed, management may be different too, but those who actually make the airline 'work' may still be held onto.

[Charliedelta11]

ahahaha...this is comparable to hooters...first the restaurant..and then the airline..except here we wont be seeing any skimpily dressed women..
does some one who's been selling pastries all his life have the slightest idea about how to run an airline ?


ah yes...pakistan is famous for its 737-200's...i think the name ought to be changed from 737-200advance to 737-200crap..