Airblue

Airblue is a private Pakistani airline with its headquarters in Islamabad and its main hub at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. The airline was founded in 2003 by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, a Pakistani businessman and former Prime Minister of Pakistan, with the goal of providing affordable and reliable air travel to Pakistani people. Airblue operates scheduled flights to various destinations in Pakistan, as well as international flights to United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman. The airline has partnerships with other carriers, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Gulf Air, to offer its passengers more travel options.

● History

The history of Airblue dates back to 2003, when it was founded by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi with the support of Pervez Musharraf, the former President of Pakistan. The airline started its operations with a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft and initially offered flights to major cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad. Over the years, Airblue has expanded its operations and now offers flights to various domestic and international destinations, including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, and King Abdulaziz International Airport. The airline has also introduced new services, such as online check-in and mobile check-in, to make travel more convenient for its passengers. Airblue has received awards and recognition for its services, including the Consumer Choice Award and the Pakistan Tourism Award, presented by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and Ministry of Tourism (Pakistan).

● Fleet

The fleet of Airblue consists of Airbus A320-200 and Airbus A321-200 aircraft, which are equipped with modern amenities and safety features. The airline has a total of 12 aircraft in its fleet, with an average age of 10 years. Airblue has also signed agreements with Airbus to purchase new aircraft, including the Airbus A320neo and Airbus A321neo, to expand its fleet and improve its services. The airline's fleet is maintained by Pakistan International Airlines and Shaheen Air, and it also has partnerships with Lufthansa Technik and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company for maintenance and repair services. Airblue's fleet is also equipped with Honeywell International avionics and Rockwell Collins communication systems.

● Destinations

Airblue operates scheduled flights to various destinations in Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta. The airline also offers international flights to United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, with destinations including Dubai International Airport, Abu Dhabi International Airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and Muscat International Airport. Airblue has codeshare agreements with other airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Gulf Air, to offer its passengers more travel options. The airline also offers flights to Kuwait International Airport, Bahrain International Airport, and Doha International Airport, in partnership with Kuwait Airways, Gulf Air, and Qatar Airways.

● Incidents and Accidents

Airblue has experienced some incidents and accidents during its operations, including the crash of Airblue Flight 202 in 2010, which resulted in the loss of 152 lives. The crash was investigated by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organization, and it was attributed to pilot error and poor weather conditions. Airblue has taken steps to improve its safety record, including the implementation of new safety procedures and the training of its pilots. The airline has also partnered with International Air Transport Association and European Aviation Safety Agency to improve its safety standards.

● Services

Airblue offers a range of services to its passengers, including online check-in, mobile check-in, and baggage handling. The airline also offers in-flight meals and entertainment, including Pakistan International Airlines' in-flight magazine, Panoor. Airblue has also introduced a loyalty program, Blue Miles, which rewards its frequent flyers with points and discounts. The airline has partnerships with Mastercard and Visa Inc. to offer its passengers more payment options. Airblue also offers special services, such as Umrah packages, in partnership with Saudi Arabian Airlines and Ministry of Religious Affairs (Pakistan).

● Company

Airblue is a private company owned by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and other investors. The airline is headquartered in Islamabad and has offices in major cities in Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, and Peshawar. Airblue has a workforce of over 1,000 employees, including pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff. The airline has partnerships with other companies, including Pakistan International Airlines, Shaheen Air, and Askari Aviation, to offer its passengers more services and travel options. Airblue is also a member of International Air Transport Association and Pakistan Airlines Association, and it has received awards and recognition for its services, including the Consumer Choice Award and the Pakistan Tourism Award, presented by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and Ministry of Tourism (Pakistan). Category:Airline companies of Pakistan