Pakistan's AirBlue to add A321neo

Pakistan's AirSial takes delivery of first aircraft, an A320

AirSial (PF, Karachi Int'l) has taken delivery of its first of three A320-200s due from AerCap as it progresses towards a formal launch. AP-BOA (msn 2257) was ferried from Goodyear to Karachi Int'l via Portsmouth, Belfast Int'l, and Cairo Int'l over the course of November 27-29.

The start-up will deploy its three A320s to Karachi, its primary base, from where they will serve Islamabad Quaid-e-Azam Int'l, Lahore Int'l, Peshawar, and Sialkot from mid-December onwards.

Given the lengthy delay in the airline's certification and tentative launch, the renewal of AirSial's Regular Public Transport (RPT) licence will be heard during a federal cabinet meeting set for December 1.

The Pakistani scheduled domestic passenger market is currently served by several carriers including PIA - Pakistan International Airlines, Serene Air, AirBlue, and Aircraft Sales & Services.

Pakistan reopens airports to outbound int'l pax ops

Pakistan has allowed outbound international flights to resume, after the country largely closed its airports to scheduled commercial passenger flights from March to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

Pakistan’s civil aviation authority (CAAP) on May 29 said as per a decision of the Federal Government, outbound international flights (scheduled, non scheduled and charter flights) were allowed with effect from 0000L (1900Z), May 30.

“Both national and foreign airlines shall be allowed to operate from all international airports of Pakistan with exception of Gwadar and Sukkur. SOPs [standard operating procedures] for outbound international flights have already been issued according to which airlines will be required to follow the SOPs of the destination country. Additionally, disinfection of aircraft will be ensured, and no congestion at airports shall be allowed,” the CAAP said.

Abdul Sattar Khokhar, senior joint secretary at the civil aviation authority, said in a statement that airlines may carry passengers from Pakistan to international destinations. Still, flights to Pakistan could carry cargo but not passengers.

Upon arrival from international flights, everyone on...

Editorial Comment: Adjusted reference for Islamabad's airport from defunct Benazir Bhutto International to Quaid-e-Azam International. - 02.06.2020 - 05:29 UTC

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