KARACHI: Pakistan's private-sector top airline, AirBlue has signed a contract to purchase two Airbus A320 aircraft and is currently in negotiations for four more planes, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The aircraft have 157 seats in a dual configuration and has a range of up to 5,700 kilometers/3,000 miles.

“It will be for the first time in Pakistan’s aviation history that a private airline will be buying commercial aircraft with its own financial resources,” said the press release.

Airblue, launched two and a half years ago, has in its fleet six A320 family aircraft operating on domestic routes as well as Dubai, UAE.

The airline is also in touch to acquire Airbus long-haul aircraft so it could start scheduled flights to UK, expectantly by the end of this year, 2006 for which it has already acquired landing rights.

A formal announcement on flights to UK shall be made by Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the COO [Chief Operating Officer] of swiftly developing favourite airline in private sector of Pakistan, the AirBlue.

The A320 is a member of the most modern and advanced single aisle aircraft family, which features fly-by-wire technology.

All new aircraft are fitted with advanced systems to help reduce maintenance and spare costs.