Aero Asia International

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Aero Asia

IATA E4	ICAO RSO	Callsign AERO ASIA
Founded		1993
Hubs		Jinnah Intl Airport
Focus cities		Allama Iqbal Intl Airport Islamabad Intl Airport Dubai International Airport
Fleet size		10
Destinations		11 (7 Domestic, 4 International)
Parent company		Regal Group
Headquarters		Karachi, Pakistan
Key people		Mohammad Yaqub Tabani
Website: http://www.aeroasia.com

Aero Asia International is a private Pakistani airline based at Jinnah International Airport Karachi in the province of Sindh. The airline was owned and operated by the Tabani Group, however, following the temporary suspension of its flights in the summer of 2006 the ownership of the airline was bought by the UK based Regal Group. It is the first low cost airline to start services in Pakistan and operates to destinations in Pakistan and the Gulf states. Its main bases are the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi and Dubai International Airport, Dubai.

1 History
2 International Flights
3 Destinations
- 3.1 Pakistan
- 3.2 Middle East
4 Fleet
5 Specific Flights
6 See also
7 External links
8 References

[edit] History

The airline was established in 1993 and started operations on 4 May 1993. It was owned by the Tabani Group of companies, who are also based mainly in Karachi, but have many businesses around Pakistan.

Aero Asia operated a fleet of three to five Yakovlev YAK-42D on main trunk routes in Pakistan. These were mainly Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. However as demand rose through the years the airline replaced its YAK-42Ds with Boeing 737-200Adv and DC-9s. The airline also introduced a more modern livery instead of having colour of past operators of the aircraft on its fuselage. A large "Aero Asia" was added to the front fuselage in bold red colour with the airline logo in between the words and on the tail.

During the start of 2006, Aero Asia and Askari Bank MasterCard announced their strategic alliance to offer their card members special discounts. A MOU was signed in this regard by Mr. Kalim ur Rehman – President & CEO Askari Commercial Bank Ltd. & Mr. Abdul Rauf Tabani – Vice Chairman Aero Asia.

On May 22, 2006 The Civil Aviation Authority stopped all Aero Asia flights as it owed millions of Rupees to the CAA. The managements of the airline were pre-informed about the CAA decision and the ban would remain imposed till further orders by the aviation regulators.

On June 12th, 2006 UK-based Regal Group acquired Aero Asia from its original owners Tabani Group. Regal Group belonging to owners of Pakistani descent, has headquarters in Karachi and Yorkshire. The brand has presence in Pakistan, United States, and United Kingdom. The airline is currently in process of getting rebranded and restructured.

[edit] International Flights

Aero Asia has already covered the Middle East and has been granted permission to fly to the United Kingdom and United States from the end of the year 2005 by the CAA of Pakistan. However, because of the airline's restructuring process, it is expected that the international flights will commence by 2007. It will fly to Manchester and Nottingham in the initial phase whilst gradually including New York, Singapore, Copenhagen, Oslo and Bahrain to its international destinations.

[edit] Destinations

An Aero Asia B737-200 approaching the runway at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore

Aero Asia International provides the following services (at February 2007):

[edit] Pakistan

[edit] Middle East

[edit] Fleet

As of February 2007:

Previously operated:

1 Airbus A300B4 (jointly with Shaheen Air)
3 BAC One-Eleven
1 Boeing 707-320
4 Boeing 737-200
4 Yakovlev Yak-42

[edit] Specific Flights

Abu Dhabi to Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar
Doha to Lahore and Peshawar
Dubai to Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar
Faisalabad to Dubai, Multan and Karachi
Islamabad to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Karachi
Karachi to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Muscat, Sukkur, and Peshawar
Lahore to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, and Muscat
Multan to Dubai, Faisalabad and Karachi
Muscat to Karachi and Lahore
Peshawar to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Karachi

[edit] See also

	Airlines of Pakistan
Current Airlines	Aero Asia • Airblue • PIA • SAI • JSA
Cargo Airlines	DHL Cargo Pakistan • Pakistan International Cargo • Royal Airlines Cargo • Star Air • TCS Couriers
Charter Companies	Askari Aviation • Jahangir Siddiqui Charter • Royal Airlines • Schon Air • Pricely Jets
Future Airlines	Air Mashriq • DIA • Pearl Air • Safe Air
Defunct Airlines	Bhoja Air • Hajvairy Airlines • Orient Airways • Pak-Air • Raji Airlines • Super Airways
Other	Airports • CAA of Pakistan • List of airlines • List of defunct airlines • Shaheen Airport Services • Transport