Emirates, Etihad Airways Seek Permission to Operate More Flights for Islamabad and Lahore

[Abbas Ali]

According to news sources:

Etihad Airways

* Etihad Airways is seeking permission to operate seven additional flights between Abu Dhabi and Islamabad. Currently Etihad Airways is operating or allowed to operate fourteen weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Islamabad.

* Eithad Airways is seeking permission to operate seven additional flights between Abu Dhabi and Lahore. Currently Etihad Airways is operating or allowed to operate eleven weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Lahore.

Emirates

* Emirates is seeking permission to operate four additional flights between Dubai and Islamabad. Currently Emirates is operating or allowed to operate ten weekly flights between Dubai and Islamabad.

* Emirates is seeking permission to operate four additional flights between Dubai and Lahore. Currently Emirates is operating or allowed to operate ten weekly flights between Dubai and Lahore.

Abbas

[raihans]

GOP should deny further frequency requests, current frequencies are MORE than enough!

[Mansoor Mela]

Look at their audacity. We should roll back their frequencies to at least 2005 levels and put restrictions on 6th freedom traffic.
For once we should tell them that we will only allow 3rd and 4th freedom traffic because that is what your market offers us.

[Tuti Fruiti]

We all want our nation airlines like PIA,Shaheen etc to succeed.. That's one thing . But there is no denial in fact that ME3 offers far superior services to the customers and customers like it and they purchase their services. Just denying them services is nto the answer. I think ME3is now so strong amongst Pak customers, that I doubt incase British Airways or Lufthansa stand no chance in case they come back and security problem is solved.. Even then , they will have tough time beating ME3 despite direct flights. We have to live with this fact as for now

[faisal-777]

This request should be denied. 2x a day is already sufficient. If they feel they can have more traffic, they need to start operating bigger aircraft on daily basis. Currently Etihad sends A321s to ISB, with rare occurences of A330. They have 77W/A380, why not use them here, now the new ISB can handle A380. Same for Emirates.

[arshad.altaf]

Both airlines must have sent this request after some kind of assessment. The results of assessment must have shown that there is potential to carry more customers from these stations. In the absence of a better local airline option where does it leave the customer. I think, they purposely dont bring large aircraft because the passenger may have to wait for longer in transit in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. They have fired the first shot and even if their request may be denied or deferred for now the reality is that there is potential to carry more load from these airports.

Arshad

[t_kaay]

Can someone explain the reason why the new airport was built with all the bells and whistles if we are not going to allow anyone to use it? Just because PIA is useless and can't expand, we have the negative mentality towards others. Screw the passengers and their needs.

[Charliedelta11]

Can someone explain the reason why the new airport was built with all the bells and whistles if we are not going to allow anyone to use it? Just because PIA is useless and can't expand, we have the negative mentality towards others. Screw the passengers and their needs

Its not about not allowing anyone to use it. Its about granting your assets some degree of protection. You might not like PIA but that is not the only airline in the country. You need to allow Shaheen, Serene, AirBlue some room to breathe especially since these are trunk, revenue generating routes for them too. By not allowing them (ME3) to expand you are only doing what a number of countries around the world have also done.

[Tuti Fruiti]

Is this increased in capacity permission related to upcoming Eid vacations or its lomg term..
On the policy,govt shud facilitate local airlines to flourish by making it more friendly

[adamalikhan]

One would expect our Pakistani airlines to increase frequency/routes from this new airport - but cannot see anything of significance that has been done.

I don't think Emirates and Etihad should be given more slots. If they really feel there is more potential, they need to change the equipment - so Emirates can operate the A380 instead of B777 and Etihad can operate B777 instead of A320/A321. This in itself will not be great for the Pakistani airlines but a better case of giving them [ME3] more slots.

[baberblues]

Please correct me if I am wrong, but from what I understand only ISB is capable of handing the A380.

The problem is that the CAA is not being helpful in helping pakistani airlines flourish, i mean look at shaheen getting denied boarding bridge facilities at airports. Airblue with like a few aircraft, and PIA's safety record.

It is a struggle for pakistani public and major reform is needed in aviation in the country.

I mean if we take the UK for example, the ME airliners fly to a lot of different airports around the country, but yet BA compete and do not see them as a threat.

More choice for the public the better.

[Tuti Fruiti]

CAA/Govt should facilitate airlines.. Yes.
With regards to Britain, i think the relation between between ME3 countries and Britain is far more than aviation. These countries have done huge amount of investments in UK. The reason BA has no objection on ME3 has definitely to do with British govt involvement in this.. Its sort of mutual deal.

[fahadshakeel]

One would expect our Pakistani airlines to increase frequency/routes from this new airport - but cannot see anything of significance that has been done.

I don't think Emirates and Etihad should be given more slots. If they really feel there is more potential, they need to change the equipment - so Emirates can operate the A380 instead of B777 and Etihad can operate B777 instead of A320/A321. This in itself will not be great for the Pakistani airlines but a better case of giving them [ME3] more slots.

I dont see it as only for catering more passengers but also giving them options to avail convenient connections.
I dont know much about Aviation but being a flyer PIA has always left us with limited routes and conditions.
If GOVT is failed to secure major destinations for PIA or frequent or convenient flights to major destinations then they must allow ME3 to increase the frequency. At least passengers will be facilitated, wait time on transit will be reduced and we can get quality flying services.

I would say: Govt should limit or even terminate ME3 once PIA will be flourished enough to provide direct access to majot destinations. At this stage big NO

[TAILWIND]

Look at their audacity. We should roll back their frequencies to at least 2005 levels and put restrictions on 6th freedom traffic.
For once we should tell them that we will only allow 3rd and 4th freedom traffic because that is what your market offers us.

Does any ME carrier operate 6th freedom flights from Pakistan?, I doubt

[Mansoor Mela]

Do you even know what 6th freedom is??? I seriously doubt.