Press Release: Airblue to Add International Flights to Dubai

2005 August 12 ISLAMABAD: Airblue Limited launches it's first International flight from Karachi to Dubai on Sunday, August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day - the first flight was a booked full load of 20 Business and 126 Economy Class.

Airblue, the premier airline of Pakistan, operational since June 18, 2004, on Sunday, August 14, successfully commenced its first daily international flight to Dubai, the Emirates golden city. The Airline's Chief Operating Officer, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also on board the flight to Dubai.

Airblue, the country's airline of first choice, plans to launch an initial total of 35 international flights a week to Dubai starting initially from Karachi and later from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar. The Airline will operate 7 flights from Karachi to Dubai on from 14 August and from September 1, the Airline will introduce 7 more flights from Karachi, 4 from Lahore and 3 each from Islamabad and Peshawar.

Airblue became the first private airline to fully comply with the National Aviation Policy 2000 and qualified for international routes as per Pakistan Civil Aviation policies. The Airline has recently been granted permission by the Government of Pakistan to operate international flights to cities in the Gulf and to the United Kingdom.

In an official statement recently, Airblue also announced the signing of aircraft acquisition with Airbus to procure Ten (10) Airbus A320 and A330 Aircraft in a landmark deal to the tune of US$ 790 Million. The new A320 aircraft will be used for additional frequencies and destinations on domestic and regional routes, while the new A330 aircraft will be used for the newly allocated routes to the United Kingdom. The new-generation A320 aircraft have fly-by-wire technology and a configuration of 20 Seats in Business Class and 126 Seats in Economy Class. The new-generation wide-body A330 aircraft also have fly-by-wire technology and a configuration of 30 Seats in Business Class and 248 Seats in Economy Class. All are equipped with the latest in Cabin IFE and Galley Equipment. The deal also includes a support package to provide for training of Airblue Pilots, Engineers, and Cabin Crew at Airbus facilities.

The Airline's growth factor as a major competitor in Pakistan's domestic aviation sector from a small fleet to an international one soon after the completion of its one year of operation, has led to other carriers within the country running to update their own standards with regards to aircrafts, service and technology.

Airblue currently operates 51 flights a week within Pakistan operating a fleet of Three (3) Airbus A320 aircraft with an all Pakistani cockpit and cabin crew. Airblue has won the reputation of introducing many firsts within Pakistan's aviation industry since the start of its domestic flights last year; innovations such as 100% e-Ticketing, web based sales, a unique demand-based fare structure that allows competitive fares and deep discounts to passengers with flexible travel plans, wireless check-in devices, a paperless intra-company operating environment, and customer friendly service have all gone towards making Airblue a front-runner and the airline of choice in the Pakistan market.

Airblue had started its initial domestic operations between the 3 main cities of Pakistan, namely Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad on June 18, 2004 and having captured a major portion of this segment, the Airline extended its wings further towards other domestic destinations such as Peshawar, followed by Nawabshah and Quetta with plans to increase the number of domestic destinations in the very near future.