A formal agreement for the purchase of 14 new A320-200 aircraft was signed between Airbus Industrie and private sector carrier AirBlue in Dubai on November 13, 2007, during the five-day air show.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, AirBlue Chief Operating Officer, told a press conference here on Friday that the agreement was signed by him and Airbus Industrie Chief Operating Officer Johan Leaky on behalf of the respective organisations. Also present were AirBlue Managing Director Nasir Ali, Manager Marketing Salman Tahir and other executives.
He said that AirBlue was also reviewing its requirements for more aircraft and was looking to acquire four to eight A359-787 modern aircraft for long-haul routes, based on market conditions. The airline is presently flying to seven domestic destinations and three flights to Dubai and Manchester. It operates three A320s and three A321 aircraft, which have been acquired on dry lease.
He said that at a time when other carriers are groaning about high fuel prices and are posting huge losses year after year, AirBlue is not only adding new-generation aircraft to its fleet, it is also making reasonable profit, which speaks highly of efficient management practices and good governance in vogue in the airline.
Abbasi said that the airline has ambitious expansion plans and would further spread its wings towards West, as well as East, as soon as the new aircraft are inducted in its fleet. "From the word 'go' in June 2004, when AirBlue started operations, it has never looked back and is hopefully looking towards the future to touch new heights", he said.