The privately owned and operated commercial airlines Air Blue has leased new aircraft at a cost of Rs2.5 billion.
This was disclosed by Chief Operating Officer of Air Blue Shahid Khaqan Abbasi while talking to representative of Online at a dinner hosted by well-known entrepreneur, Siddiqui Suliman. Also present on the occasion were such luminaries as Haji Masood Parekh, Rafiq Khan, and Siddiqui Salaman, Muhammad Yousaf and others.

Mr. Khaqan said that this acquisition of 3 airbus aircraft would facilitate 600 new employment opportunities. The airline is already operating 3 leased Airbus aircraft at the cost of Rs.6 billion. The airline has invested Rs.1 billion in direct operations.

International routes are being planned and there is a request pending for Karachi-Dubai route with the Civil Aviation. There is a great demand for minor routes that have been suspended due to operative losses, and AirBlue was willing to fill the void, and provide services for commuters of far-flung small areas. The airline has order for small turbo prop and Fokker aircraft on the anvil for this purpose.

The airline is currently operating six routes in the country out of which five are generating profitable revenue. One more aircraft will join the fleet, in the currant year. AirBlue can righteously claim itself as the progenitor of advanced technology in the field of commercial air activities by introducing the first ever process of E-Ticketing (electronic ticketing by individuals via computer based internet systems) and other airlines including the official carrier were following its lead.

The Chairman also demanded the government to allow private airlines to operate on the International routes, as this would increase its revenue, and help boost the tourism potential of the country.

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