Airblue Pakistan to expand economy class

Friday, 04 April 2008
Airblue, Pakistan's fastest growing airline, has announced plans to reconfigure its cabins by providing an additional 23 per cent economy seats on each flight to meet growing market demands for air travel. It starting May 1, 2008, Airblue will expand its economy cabin to the full aircraft. The airline recently made news for expanding its fleet with the purchase of 14 brand new Airbus A320s and shows no signs of slowing. The airline plans reflect an anticipated increased demand for affordable, comfortable travel, with more in-flight amenities and destination options. "Airblue has always been committed to setting a higher standard for air travel, and that now includes world class economy class" said airline's Managing Director Syed Nasir Ali here on Thursday.

"Today's passenger is savy and expects a higher standard of economy travel and we are meeting that challenge and setting the standard even higher", he added. According to Airblue, the new aircraft will continue to redefine expectations, by offering video-on-demand and other amenities typically associated with more expensive, business-class service.

The airline passengers already enjoy one of the most comfortable economy cabins in the industry, with extra legroom seating, in-flight entertainment, and complimentary meal, snack and beverage service. The shift to all-economy seating allows the airline to open up inventory while continuing to offer some of the most competitive fares in the industry. The current fleet of Airblue will be reconfigured to accommodate this higher standard economy class cabin, Nasir Ali said.

Over the past three years, he pointed out, Airblue has grown to be the largest private airline in Pakistan, introducing innovations for greater customer convenience such as e-ticketing, wireless mobile check-in and self check-in kiosks.

Currently, he said, Airblue has the youngest fleet in Pakistan and with three A320 and three A321 aircraft operate flights to six major domestic cities in Pakistan; and three daily flights to Dubai from Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar, as well as a daily flight between Manchester and Islamabad. MD Airblue said that future expansion plans include flights to UK, Scandinavia, Gulf, Middle East, India, and Bangladesh.

http://www.uniquepakistan.com/news/economy...s-20080404.html
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