AirBlue Planning to Induct 2 or 3 Aircraft on Dry Lease

[Abbas Ali]

AirBlue is planning to induct two or three aircraft on dry lease in 2012.

After the induction of these aircraft, AirBlue will expand international route network and increase flight frequencies on existing routes.

Info Source: www.khaleejtimes.com (March 23, 2012 news report)

Most likely these will be Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Presently, AirBlue has following five A320 family aircraft in its fleet.

4 x Airbus A319-100
1 x Airbus A320-200

Abbas

[faiq]

Yes it is true but there is no final dates. I have many friends who fly for airblue from Air Force who have told that at least one more A320 and two A330 or A340.

[Abbas Ali]

^ Thank you Faiq for the info.

I hope they get Airbus A330.

A330 will help AirBlue in offering better service with non-stop flights between Pakistan and Manchester.

I think AirBlue can also launch flights to Jeddah with A330.

Abbas

[PK777]

^ Agreed. I travelled on airblue Muscat - Lahore A319 last year and I could not do them wrong. I will use them in the future.

If they get their hands on the A330, I can see them further strengthen their LH routes.

[raihans]

one of my friend said that they will be acquiring a340, don't know how far this will be true unless until we see our self. anyhow, lets hope a good expansion of airblue fleet with wide body jets flying in ED colors

[Abbas Ali]

A340 would be an odd choice for AirBlue.

A330 is suitable for AirBlue expansion plans in my opinion.

Abbas

[Jacobin777]

A330 would work just fine for AirBlue.

I flew Airblue once, KHI-DXB. It was a fine flight, no problems. However, I wouldn't use AirBlue again for a connecting flight as going from Terminal-2 @ DXB to Terminal-3 was a total pain and hassle. Since Airblue doesn't interline, I had to go though customs, get my suitcase, get a cab (yup) to go from T-2 to T-3, recheck my suitcase and go through security again....total pain.

Nonstop "point-to-point" on JetBlue is fine IMHO.

[Moin]

From what I know, Air Blue is continuing to struggle after the incident at Islamabad of which they have still not fully recovered and the induction of wide body a/c is not on the cards anytime soon. There has been talk of Air Blue A330's and A340's for years now and nothing has achieved fruition.

[mac777]

how many airplane has the fastest growing airline added since last few years?i dont see anyone of the private airline flying widebody on a regular basis. a330 might be suitable but its leasingrates are high as it is in great demand just like b777. a340 should be very cheap after their production has stopped.but can airblue fill 300+ passengers daily longhaul to manchester?

[TAILWIND]

However, I wouldn't use AirBlue again for a connecting flight as going from Terminal-2 @ DXB to Terminal-3 was a total pain and hassle.

Airblue now uses Terminal 1 at dxb

[Jacobin777]

However, I wouldn't use AirBlue again for a connecting flight as going from Terminal-2 @ DXB to Terminal-3 was a total pain and hassle.

Airblue now uses Terminal 1 at dxb

Same problem however in terms of luggage as Airblue doesn't interline with other carriers.