Tahir Ehsan Malik, Director, Air Traffic, Civil Aviation Authority, has said that all domestic airlines are free to operate anywhere in the world, in line with the open skies policy, and there are no limitations for any airline.
Talking to newsmen during Pakistan National Aviation Symposium 2007, organised by 'Airblue' airline here on Monday, he said that a Sharjah-based airline, Air Arabia, has been granted license, which is aimed to boost the airline industry in the country, besides facilitating passengers.
He ruled out that introduction of 'Air Arabia' in the country would affect the businesses of domestic airlines. However, he hoped that this move would spur further investment in the aviation industry. "There are a lot of opportunities on different international routes, including Europe and Far East, for local airlines. These are profitable routes, hitherto ignored by our airlines," he said.
He said that 'Air Arabia' would start its operation from Karachi and Peshawar to Sharjah to provide more facilities to local passengers. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chief Operating Officer of 'Airblue', said that 'Airblue' would start Islamabad-Manchester flights from June 1 with 6 new Airbus.
He said that Airblue's annual growth rate had improved during last three years to around 80 percent. However, he pointed out that this rising growth was likely to decline in future by 30 percent to 40 percent, particularly in the next year.
He said that travel industry was growing gradually in Pakistan and it was expected that in the next five years, the number of passengers would increase from 12 million to 20 million per year. Kamran Hasan, PIA Marketing Director, said that the aviation industry had witnessed great growth during the 1970s in the country, and added that PIA was the first Asian airline to introduced A-300 carriers.
He said that in 1992, the Cabinet had announced the open skies policy, which brought about a change in the aviation industry through which seven private airlines started operations, of which presently only three have been left to continue operations.
He said that the country's total travel industry is based on 12 million passengers, including seven million international and five million domestic travellers, while all four airlines, including PIA, have total fleet of 55 aircraft to cater for them.
Despite all difficulties, Pakistan travel industry is growing on a fast track and as per Iata forecast its travel industry growth rate would be around 7.4 percent, he added. He said that PIA would soon induct more four B-777 Boeings in its existing fleet and a plan was in the offing to replace the B-737 in near future with a view to enhance business.
The Government has announced 2007 as 'Visit Pakistan' and 'Tourism Year for Foreigners', which would also be helpful for local airlines to boost their business.
Airblue Director, Marketing, Nasir Ali, said that Airblue had started its operations three years back which has become the fastest growing airline of Pakistan. "Airblue introduced online booking facility and discount system first time in Pakistan to facilitate the passengers," he added. He said that Airblue possesses six Airbus, which would be operated on Islamabad-Manchester flights.