LONDON (UK): Pakistan’s new generation private airline AirBlue launched flights to UK on Friday by making Manchester as the first destination from capital Islamabad to the empires of Europe. It was a historic day ? filled with emotions of Pakistanis ? living in Britain when they saw the landing of AirBlue flight at the Manchester airport ? in a way as smooth as silk.
Both the passengers and guests from Islamabad were received at the airport ? in a most warm welcome style.
A large number of overseas Pakistanis ? as well as travel agents and representative people of Azad Kashmir ? were present on the occasion.
Speaking to ?Pakistan Times? [Daily E-Newspaper], Syed Nasir Ali, Director Commercial & Marketing said before the flights? return home on Friday evening that AirBlue flights to UK would by all perception strengthen solidarity and friendship between United Kingdom and Pakistan.
Significantly, AirBlue is the first private airline of Pakistan in the aviation history to start long haul operations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.AirBlue’s performance in Pakistan is an evidence of the success story of the airline, said Syed Nasir Ali.
He added that AirBlue’s flights to the United Kingdom will build a stronger bond between the two countries and facilitate the Pakistani community’s traveling requirements.
Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Operating Officer AirBlue had earlier, pointed out that the response from the Manchester’s Pakistani community was so overwhelming that AirBlue has decided to introduce a 5th flight on every Thursday from June 28, 2007.
Syed Nasir Ali emphasized that AirBlue’s success was due to the innovative technology being used by the airline and the next generation aircraft in operation by AirBlue.
?Pakistan Times? understands that AirBlue plans to start operations to new international routes very soon benefiting the Pakistani community around the world and expanding its network.
AirBlue currently operates to various destinations in the Middle East most notably the United Arab Emirates.
It has been expanding rapidly despite experiencing competition from the other three airline operators in Pakistan.
The airline hopes to cash in on the demand for flights to and from Pakistan.
Since, British Airways stopped flying direct between Manchester and Islamabad British Pakistanis have had their choices limited.
It is hoped that initially there will be four AirBlue flights a week departing at 14:00 PST from Islamabad and landing at Manchester at 19:30 (local time).
Flights from Manchester will leave at 2.00 am (local time) and land at Islamabad 10.30 AM the next day.
It has also been reported that AirBlue has decided to introduce a 5th flight on every Thursday from June 28.
Founded in 2004, AirBlue serves a number of destinations within Pakistan including Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Gawadar.
The airline also operates international routes from Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar to Dubai
