http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html
Biggest ever aircraft deal likely next week
By Masood Anwar
KARACHI: The Pakistani aviation industry could witness the biggest ever deal of the procurement of aircraft in the country during the next week.
Airblue, which emerged on the national aviation map just one year ago, is in negotiation with European giant Airbus for the procurement of 10 aircraft. Almost all the clauses have been finalised and the matter is in final stages, sources in the Airblue confirmed to The News.
The deal worth around $1.25 billion is expected to be inked during the next week in Islamabad, in the presence of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the sources added. The airline is interested in buying 320 and 330 versions of Airbus.
At the moment, the airline’s fleet consists of three A-320 type aircraft. These aircraft were hired on dry lease by the airline to run the operation.
First of all, the airline’s management is interested in replacing its hired aircraft from its own fleet. In the second phase, the airline will induct more aircraft to deploy on the new international routes.
The new aviation policy allows the private airlines to operate on international routes that were prohibited before. It will be the biggest foreign investment in one go in the country and a direct result of the new policy of the government for the aviation industry. National flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) inked a deal with Boeing for eight 777 planes in 2002.
The PIA Board of Directors approved, in March 2002, a long-term 10-year fleet plan to replace and induct new aircraft in the PIA fleet with an outlay of $2 billion.
Although the Airblue deal does not comparatively match with the PIA one, in terms of value, in terms of number of aircraft, it is a bigger deal.
Another factor that gives an edge to the Airblue over the PIA is that the entire deal has been arranged by the Airblue from its own resources. It found financers without a government surety.
The Export Import Bank of America is the financer in the US for the PIA deal, but the Government of Pakistan was the guarantor for the US bank. As the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the PIA has shifted its entire fleet to a company registered in Camayn Island and pledged for acquiring the new aircraft. Moreover, foreign exchange of the country has also been pledged for the 777 planes.
The entire PIA deal was funded by the government of Pakistan. According to the PIA approved fleet plan, three aircraft have been inducted in 2003, while two have to be inducted in 2006, three in 2008 and three in 2011.
The Airblue is the only airline in the private sector that is following all the conditions of the National Aviation Policy (NAP) from day one. It registered its entire fleet in Pakistan and hired aircraft on dry lease while other airlines hired aircraft on wet lease. This means the entire cabin and cockpit crew of Airblue is Pakistani while the crew of aircraft hired on wet lease is not Pakistani and employee of the owner of the aircraft. Airblue is also negotiating its engineering set-up in the country that will be the first of its kind in the private sector.
Full Version: Pakistan's Biggest Ever Aircraft Purchase Deal
QUOTE(Hellraiser006 @ Aug 2 2005, 03:20 AM)
http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/index.html
Biggest ever aircraft deal likely next week
By Masood Anwar
KARACHI: The Pakistani aviation industry could witness the biggest ever deal of the procurement of aircraft in the country during the next week.
Airblue, which emerged on the national aviation map just one year ago, is in negotiation with European giant Airbus for the procurement of 10 aircraft. Almost all the clauses have been finalised and the matter is in final stages, sources in the Airblue confirmed to The News.
The deal worth around $1.25 billion is expected to be inked during the next week in Islamabad, in the presence of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the sources added. The airline is interested in buying 320 and 330 versions of Airbus.
At the moment, the airline’s fleet consists of three A-320 type aircraft. These aircraft were hired on dry lease by the airline to run the operation.
First of all, the airline’s management is interested in replacing its hired aircraft from its own fleet. In the second phase, the airline will induct more aircraft to deploy on the new international routes.
The new aviation policy allows the private airlines to operate on international routes that were prohibited before. It will be the biggest foreign investment in one go in the country and a direct result of the new policy of the government for the aviation industry. National flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) inked a deal with Boeing for eight 777 planes in 2002.
The PIA Board of Directors approved, in March 2002, a long-term 10-year fleet plan to replace and induct new aircraft in the PIA fleet with an outlay of $2 billion.
Although the Airblue deal does not comparatively match with the PIA one, in terms of value, in terms of number of aircraft, it is a bigger deal.
Another factor that gives an edge to the Airblue over the PIA is that the entire deal has been arranged by the Airblue from its own resources. It found financers without a government surety.
The Export Import Bank of America is the financer in the US for the PIA deal, but the Government of Pakistan was the guarantor for the US bank. As the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the PIA has shifted its entire fleet to a company registered in Camayn Island and pledged for acquiring the new aircraft. Moreover, foreign exchange of the country has also been pledged for the 777 planes.
The entire PIA deal was funded by the government of Pakistan. According to the PIA approved fleet plan, three aircraft have been inducted in 2003, while two have to be inducted in 2006, three in 2008 and three in 2011.
The Airblue is the only airline in the private sector that is following all the conditions of the National Aviation Policy (NAP) from day one. It registered its entire fleet in Pakistan and hired aircraft on dry lease while other airlines hired aircraft on wet lease. This means the entire cabin and cockpit crew of Airblue is Pakistani while the crew of aircraft hired on wet lease is not Pakistani and employee of the owner of the aircraft. Airblue is also negotiating its engineering set-up in the country that will be the first of its kind in the private sector.
[right][snapback]665366[/snapback][/right]
Biggest ever aircraft deal likely next week
By Masood Anwar
KARACHI: The Pakistani aviation industry could witness the biggest ever deal of the procurement of aircraft in the country during the next week.
Airblue, which emerged on the national aviation map just one year ago, is in negotiation with European giant Airbus for the procurement of 10 aircraft. Almost all the clauses have been finalised and the matter is in final stages, sources in the Airblue confirmed to The News.
The deal worth around $1.25 billion is expected to be inked during the next week in Islamabad, in the presence of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the sources added. The airline is interested in buying 320 and 330 versions of Airbus.
At the moment, the airline’s fleet consists of three A-320 type aircraft. These aircraft were hired on dry lease by the airline to run the operation.
First of all, the airline’s management is interested in replacing its hired aircraft from its own fleet. In the second phase, the airline will induct more aircraft to deploy on the new international routes.
The new aviation policy allows the private airlines to operate on international routes that were prohibited before. It will be the biggest foreign investment in one go in the country and a direct result of the new policy of the government for the aviation industry. National flag carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) inked a deal with Boeing for eight 777 planes in 2002.
The PIA Board of Directors approved, in March 2002, a long-term 10-year fleet plan to replace and induct new aircraft in the PIA fleet with an outlay of $2 billion.
Although the Airblue deal does not comparatively match with the PIA one, in terms of value, in terms of number of aircraft, it is a bigger deal.
Another factor that gives an edge to the Airblue over the PIA is that the entire deal has been arranged by the Airblue from its own resources. It found financers without a government surety.
The Export Import Bank of America is the financer in the US for the PIA deal, but the Government of Pakistan was the guarantor for the US bank. As the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), the PIA has shifted its entire fleet to a company registered in Camayn Island and pledged for acquiring the new aircraft. Moreover, foreign exchange of the country has also been pledged for the 777 planes.
The entire PIA deal was funded by the government of Pakistan. According to the PIA approved fleet plan, three aircraft have been inducted in 2003, while two have to be inducted in 2006, three in 2008 and three in 2011.
The Airblue is the only airline in the private sector that is following all the conditions of the National Aviation Policy (NAP) from day one. It registered its entire fleet in Pakistan and hired aircraft on dry lease while other airlines hired aircraft on wet lease. This means the entire cabin and cockpit crew of Airblue is Pakistani while the crew of aircraft hired on wet lease is not Pakistani and employee of the owner of the aircraft. Airblue is also negotiating its engineering set-up in the country that will be the first of its kind in the private sector.
[right][snapback]665366[/snapback][/right]
QUOTE(Hellraiser006 @ Aug 2 2005, 03:20 AM)
It will be the biggest foreign investment in one go in the country
how that? are the investors abroad?
QUOTE(Slayer @ Aug 2 2005, 06:28 PM)
how that? are the investors abroad?
[right][snapback]665474[/snapback][/right]
[right][snapback]665474[/snapback][/right]
air blue is run by ex paf officers, the best pilots of teh world they wont find it hard to get financiers. They have the best know how about what they intend to do
AirBlue rocks !!! The service is good, Mash'Allah. I'd love to see AirBlue's own engineering set up ! They could service foreign airlines there as well, more money, more forex.
Also, I'd love to see A330 in AirBlue's livery.
Also, I'd love to see A330 in AirBlue's livery.
Air Blue fleet to have 10 new planes soon
RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI (August 03 2005): Air Blue, which has established itself as one of the fastest growing airlines in the private sector, will add 10 new aircraft to its fleet shortly.
According to a message received here on Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer of Air Blue Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while talking to newsmen in Dubai on Monday, said that the airline was now in the finalisation stage of its fleet expansion programme.
Abbasi was in Dubai to sign an agreement with Al Rais Travel and Shipping Agencies, which has been appointed general sales agent (GSA) for Air Blue in Dubai.
Air Blue will start flying to Dubai from August 14. The airline has scheduled 35 flights per week, twice daily from Karachi and once a day from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar to Dubai.
The airline plans to operate additional flights to Dubai with the passage of time and also fly to the United Kingdom by early 2006, using new generation high-tech long-range aircraft on this sector, Abbasi said.
Air Blue Commercial Director Syed Nasir Ali, who was also present on the occasion, said that the airliner would soon be listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange, being a public limited company.
Besides several innovations, which had been introduced, Air Blue was the first to come up with e-commerce in the South Asian aviation industry, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2005
RECORDER REPORT
KARACHI (August 03 2005): Air Blue, which has established itself as one of the fastest growing airlines in the private sector, will add 10 new aircraft to its fleet shortly.
According to a message received here on Tuesday, Chief Operating Officer of Air Blue Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while talking to newsmen in Dubai on Monday, said that the airline was now in the finalisation stage of its fleet expansion programme.
Abbasi was in Dubai to sign an agreement with Al Rais Travel and Shipping Agencies, which has been appointed general sales agent (GSA) for Air Blue in Dubai.
Air Blue will start flying to Dubai from August 14. The airline has scheduled 35 flights per week, twice daily from Karachi and once a day from Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar to Dubai.
The airline plans to operate additional flights to Dubai with the passage of time and also fly to the United Kingdom by early 2006, using new generation high-tech long-range aircraft on this sector, Abbasi said.
Air Blue Commercial Director Syed Nasir Ali, who was also present on the occasion, said that the airliner would soon be listed on the Karachi Stock Exchange, being a public limited company.
Besides several innovations, which had been introduced, Air Blue was the first to come up with e-commerce in the South Asian aviation industry, he said.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2005
when is airblue gonna fly to the UK?
I am thinking about the heat on the ass of Tabani group .. i mean Aero Asia has been there since such a long time and they just got contended with small time business !!!
who are the investors?
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?p..._5-8-2005_pg5_7
Airblue to procure eight Airbus
ISLAMABAD: Airblue will purchase Eight airbus A320-200 and two airbus A330-200 aircraft from Airbus Industries for an estimated cost of $ 790 million.
It was told by Chief Operating Officer-Air Blue, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a press conference here Thursday after signing the deal with Vice President Sales-Airbus, Abdellah Sbai.
Khaqan Abbasi said that Airblue currently operates three A320 aircraft and is the first operator of the Airbus A320 aircraft in Pakistan. He said the Airblue has completed a year of the successful operation on the A320 with over 98 per cent reliability for its fleet.
Abbasi said the deal for the private sector in Pakistan Aviation has been made possible by the recent allocation of International routes to the private airlines by the Ministry of Defence and Civil Aviation Authority. "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 newly allocated routes to the United Kingdom," he added.
The new generation A320 aircraft have fly-by-wire technology and will have a configuration of 20 seats in Business class and 126 seats in Economy class. They will be equipped with the latest in Cabin IFE and gallery equipment.
The new-generation wide-body A330 aircraft have fly-by-wire technology and will have a configuration of 30 seats in Business Class and 248 seats in economy class. They will be equipped with the latest on In-Seat IFE and Gallery Equipment. The deal also includes a support package to provide training to Airblue Pilots, Engineers and Cabin crew at Airbus facilities.
"Airblue will be able to start induction of additional aircraft on routes to the Gulf and United Kingdom from November 2005", Abbasi said.
He said the induction of these aircraft will provide join opportunities to over 600 Pakistani aviation professionals including pilots, engineers and ground staff.
He hoped that annual additional contribution to the National
GDP is estimated to be over Rs.5 billion. app
Home | Business
Airblue to procure eight Airbus
ISLAMABAD: Airblue will purchase Eight airbus A320-200 and two airbus A330-200 aircraft from Airbus Industries for an estimated cost of $ 790 million.
It was told by Chief Operating Officer-Air Blue, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in a press conference here Thursday after signing the deal with Vice President Sales-Airbus, Abdellah Sbai.
Khaqan Abbasi said that Airblue currently operates three A320 aircraft and is the first operator of the Airbus A320 aircraft in Pakistan. He said the Airblue has completed a year of the successful operation on the A320 with over 98 per cent reliability for its fleet.
Abbasi said the deal for the private sector in Pakistan Aviation has been made possible by the recent allocation of International routes to the private airlines by the Ministry of Defence and Civil Aviation Authority. "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 newly allocated routes to the United Kingdom," he added.
The new generation A320 aircraft have fly-by-wire technology and will have a configuration of 20 seats in Business class and 126 seats in Economy class. They will be equipped with the latest in Cabin IFE and gallery equipment.
The new-generation wide-body A330 aircraft have fly-by-wire technology and will have a configuration of 30 seats in Business Class and 248 seats in economy class. They will be equipped with the latest on In-Seat IFE and Gallery Equipment. The deal also includes a support package to provide training to Airblue Pilots, Engineers and Cabin crew at Airbus facilities.
"Airblue will be able to start induction of additional aircraft on routes to the Gulf and United Kingdom from November 2005", Abbasi said.
He said the induction of these aircraft will provide join opportunities to over 600 Pakistani aviation professionals including pilots, engineers and ground staff.
He hoped that annual additional contribution to the National
GDP is estimated to be over Rs.5 billion. app
Home | Business
I believe the investors are Jehangir Siddiqui Investments, if I am not mistaken they hold 40 % shares for Air blue.
These are the same guys who own HUM TV, one of the 3 Naval container station of Pakistan ( I think at Port Qasim) and the largest publicly traded fund in Pakistan. HUM TV will go public in near future and will be the first ever publicly traded entertainment outlet, (India has more than 200 of those).
Jehangir Siddiqui Investments runs a 300 mil USD fund in Pakistan with active collaboration of ABMINVESCO (AIM funds) which have more than half a trillion USD in their pockets (sitting 2 floors above me)..
Do a google on Jehangir Siddiquie, AIM FUNDS.
These are the same guys who own HUM TV, one of the 3 Naval container station of Pakistan ( I think at Port Qasim) and the largest publicly traded fund in Pakistan. HUM TV will go public in near future and will be the first ever publicly traded entertainment outlet, (India has more than 200 of those).
Jehangir Siddiqui Investments runs a 300 mil USD fund in Pakistan with active collaboration of ABMINVESCO (AIM funds) which have more than half a trillion USD in their pockets (sitting 2 floors above me)..
Do a google on Jehangir Siddiquie, AIM FUNDS.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/aug-2005/14/bnews2.php
Airblue launches first international flight today
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
KARACHI - Airblue Limited is all set to launch it’s first International flight from Karachi to Dubai on Sunday, August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day - the first flight has a booked full load of 20 Business and 126 Economy Class passengers.
Airblue one of the premier private airlines of Pakistan, operational since June 18, 2004, is thus successfully commencing its first daily international flight to Dubai, the Emirates' golden city.
The Airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will also be on board the inaugural flight to Dubai.
Airblue plans to launch initially of 35 international flights per week to Dubai starting first 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 10 Airbus A320 and A330 Aircraft in a landmark deal to the tune of $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 latest 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 regard to aircrafts, service and technology.
Airblue currently operates 51 flights a week within Pakistan operating a fleet of 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 per cent 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, an airline source has claimed.
Airblue launches first international flight today
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
KARACHI - Airblue Limited is all set to launch it’s first International flight from Karachi to Dubai on Sunday, August 14, Pakistan’s Independence Day - the first flight has a booked full load of 20 Business and 126 Economy Class passengers.
Airblue one of the premier private airlines of Pakistan, operational since June 18, 2004, is thus successfully commencing its first daily international flight to Dubai, the Emirates' golden city.
The Airline’s Chief Operating Officer, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will also be on board the inaugural flight to Dubai.
Airblue plans to launch initially of 35 international flights per week to Dubai starting first 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 10 Airbus A320 and A330 Aircraft in a landmark deal to the tune of $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 latest 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 regard to aircrafts, service and technology.
Airblue currently operates 51 flights a week within Pakistan operating a fleet of 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 per cent 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, an airline source has claimed.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.