Pakistan Air Travel Growth Among World's Fastest

IATA (International Air Transport Association) forecasts Pakistan domestic air travel will grow at least 9.5% per year, more than 2X faster than the world average annual growth rate of 4.1% over the next 20 years. The Indian and Brazilian domestic markets will grow at 6.9% and 5.4% respectively.

Source: CAA Via Express Tribune 

In a clear sign of Pakistan's rising middle class choosing air travel,  the number of domestic and international air travelers in Pakistan grew by 8% to 17.9 million in fiscal year 2013-14 compared to previous year, recording the fastest growth in passenger traffic in the last three years, according to data provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and published by Pakistan's Express Tribune newspaper. Growth in air travel is pushing new airport upgrades and new construction to handle more passengers. Examples of new or upgraded airports include Islamabad, Multan and Sialkot.

Chinese domestic air travel market will surpass the US market to claim the number 1 spot by 2030, according to figures released by by IATA. Currently the ninth largest market, India will see a total of 367 million passengers by 2034, an extra 266 million annual passengers compared to today. It will overtake the United Kingdom (148 million extra passengers, total market 337 million) to become the 3rd largest market around 2031.

Pakistan International Airlines, the nation's state-owned carrier, is continuing to lose both market share and money in the midst of explosive growth in air travel. Pakistan's private carriers Shaheen, Air Blue and Indus Air and foreign carriers like Emirates and Saudia have benefited at the expense of PIA.

"It is an exciting prospect to think that in the next 20 years more than twice as many passengers as today will have the chance to fly. Air connectivity on this scale will help transform economic opportunities for millions of people," IATA chief Tony Tyler said in his comments on the report. In 20 years' time, "we can expect aviation to be supporting around 105 million jobs and USD six trillion in GDP," he said.

Sensing the opportunity, the government of Pakistan has recently announced a new national aviation policy, NAP 2015, to attract new investments in the aviation sector. It reduces or eliminates a number taxes and duties on investments.  Announcing the policy, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: “The present taxes and duties on the aviation sector are unjustified, and a major hurdle in the growth of travel and cargo handling through air.”

The NAP 2015 offers a bilateral “Open Skies Policy” to other countries, based on reciprocity; a level playing field for domestic and national airlines, and the liberalized aviation sector by allowing markets to determine the price, quality, frequency and range of air services options; and taxes structured and simplified in line with the best international practices to promote transportation,  spur GDP growth and create jobs.

It's good to see that the aviation sector in Pakistan is finally beginning to get the attention it deserves as a growth market to increase investment, improve service to travelers and create new jobs.

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Comment by Riaz Haq on August 22, 2015 at 8:53pm

BEIJING (Online) – Air China on Saturday announced it would launch four new Asian routes in October, connecting Beijing to more destinations in south and southeast Asia.

Flights linking Beijing and Karachi, Pakistan, will launch on Oct. 26 with three flights every week. It will stop in the country’s capital Islamabad.

The Beijing-Mumbai, India, route will be launched on Oct. 25, with four flights every week.

On the same day, flights will also begin connecting Beijing with Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with four flights every week.

On Oct. 27, another route linking Beijing with Colombo, Sri Lanka, will begin, with three flights every week.

http://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/business/air-china-to-launch-four-ne...

Comment by Riaz Haq on October 8, 2015 at 9:21pm

#Bahrain's Gulf Air plans to launch two new #Pakistan routes. #Multan #Faisalabad http://www.arabianbusiness.com/bahrain-s-gulf-air-plans-launch-two-...

The addition of direct services to the cities of Faisalabad and Multan are scheduled to launch in December, the airline said in a statement.
The airline will operate four weekly direct flights to Multan and three weekly services to Faisalabad, it added.
Ahmed Janahi, chief commercial officer, said: "We are committed to serving the Pakistan market, as we have done since our first entry in 1960.
"Accordingly, we are delighted to supplement our existing operations - catering to passenger demand from across the country.
"I would like to extend our thanks to the Pakistan authorities and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority for facilitating and supporting this new development that I am confident will be well received by passengers."
The new launches will take the carrier's total number of Pakistan destinations to seven in addition to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Sialkot.
Gulf Air flights to Multan, Pakistan's fifth largest city by population, and Faisalabad, a major industrial and manufacturing hub, will be operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft.
Gulf Air said in August that its year-on-year losses reduced by 30 percent in the first half of 2014.
The airline's revenues increased by 10 percent during the same period, its chairman said in a statement without giving specific figures.

Comment by Riaz Haq on January 12, 2016 at 5:15pm

Gulf Air starts new #Pakistan flights to/from #Faisalabad, #Multan airports http://bit.ly/1RkMPq2 

Bahrain national carrier, Gulf Air, said on Tuesday it recently started flights to Pakistani cities Multan and Faisalabad.

The two new flights increases Gulf Air’s services to Pakistan to seven. It also flies to Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Sialkot.

The flights to Multan and Faisalabad are operated by an Airbus A320, a narrow body single aisle aircraft, according to an emailed statement.

Multan is Pakistan’s 5th most populated city and Faisalabad is a major industrial and manufacturing hub.

Comment by Riaz Haq on February 11, 2016 at 9:18am

#US First Lady Jackie Kennedy returned from #Pakistan to #US as a passenger on #Pakistan International Airline #PIA


The airline is now in debt and in crisis. It faces competition from private airlines. Staff unions are fighting government plans to sell off at least part of it.

On Feb. 2, two PIA employees were shot dead in Karachi during a demonstration against privatization. It's not clear who did it. The police used unusual force that day, including water cannons and teargas.

In a tent not far from the airport, a group of men mourns one of the two victims, a 57-year-old flight engineer named Saleem Akbar.

"When I received a call, I was really shocked and I don't understand what should I do," says his son, Fahad. "I never expected such things from the authorities. It was just a peaceful demonstration."

PIA workers nationwide responded to the killings by walking out en masse. For almost a week, PIA's fleet was grounded.

The strike was yet another reminder to Pakistanis of how far their airline's star has fallen. They used to boast about how PIA was the first Asian airline to operate jets and how it provided the planes that helped launch Emirates airline.

Ask Pakistanis what's gone wrong and they often reel off a list.

In part, says Khurram Husain of Pakistan's Dawn newspaper, it's "the inability of the government to manage what are essentially commercial enterprises. In part, political interference. In part, resistance to change from within due to excessive union activities and excessive bureaucratization."

Husain has been tracking the airline for years. He says at the heart of PIA's problems, there's a number.

"That number is the accumulated losses that the airline has managed to rack up by now," he says. "That number now stands at just under $3 billion, about half the national defense budget."

That huge $3 billion debt is paralyzing the airline, says Husain. "Just about the only thing that senior PIA management has been busy with is arranging for funds with which to make the next debt-service obligation," he says.

Pressure to overhaul PIA is coming from the International Monetary Fund, which has provided a big loan to Pakistan. The country's economy is blighted by many problems, from chronic power shortages to massive tax avoidance. The IMF thinks it's time to tackle loss-making state-run enterprises, like PIA.

Political commentator Hosain believes it's inevitable that the government will have to sell a big chunk of the airline. "PIA is hemorrhaging dollars," she says. "There's no way around it."

Many PIA staff hope that's wrong.

"The basic thing is the security of job. There is no security of job in privatization," says PIA accounts official Adnan Malik.

The Pakistani public may have fallen out of love with their airline. But Malik hasn't. "When you serve in airline, you feel love with them," he says. "You feel love for PIA. Yes. I love my country, I love PIA!"

http://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2016/02/11/466280744/once-pak...

Comment by Riaz Haq on July 6, 2016 at 11:26am

#Pakistan saw 23% growth in airline passengers in 2015; #Gwadar airport growth fastest at 73% #CPEC http://www.anna.aero/2015/09/02/pakistan-sees-a-rise-in-airline-sea... … via @annaaero


Pakistan is one of the world’s youngest countries, established in 1947 after gaining full independence from India. One of anna.aero’s favourite places to visit is Mohenjo-Daro City, built around 2500 BCE, it was one of the largest settlements of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation, and one of the world’s earliest major urban settlements. The excavated ruins are a great place for the data elves to play a game of hide and seek. As always, if you want to see these wonders for yourself, the best way to reach Pakistan is to fly, and there are currently 22 airports with commercial flights that may be of relevance.

Chart - Pakistan's top 12 airports Monthly seat capacity S15 (Seat capacity change S14 v S15)http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/chart-Pakistans-top-12-airports1-300x205.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" />

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser data for August 2015 and August 2014.

22 commercial airports, only one is reporting a reduction in capacity

Pakistan’s commercial airports have seen major growth in capacity in the past 12 months, as S15 seat capacity is showing a rise of 23%. Of all the airports in Pakistan, the one that is recording the greatest growth in capacity is Gwadar (13th largest in S15), which is showing an increase in capacity of 73%. A total of eight airports are recording a growth rate over the past 12 months that is greater than 60%, with four of these airports being in the top 12 (highlighted in light green). Only one airport is showing a decline in capacity when compared with S14, Skardu. The 14th largest airport in 2015 was the 11th biggest last year. However, the facility has witnessed a decline in seat capacity of 14% according to OAG Schedules Analyser. In the top 12, the airport order pretty much remains constant, with Multan (+64%), Quetta (+62%) and Faisalabad (+61%) all climbing one place as a result of all of them seeing a growth of over 60%. Turbat is a new airport to the top 12 (13th in S14) as a result of Skardu’s capacity decrease.

Chart - Pakistan's top 12 country marketshttp://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/chart-Pakistans-top-12-country-markets2-300x205.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" />

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser data for August 2015 and August 2014.

UAE leading international market

After seeing a rise in capacity of nearly 26%, the domestic market is the largest in Pakistan. The country market that is recording the best growth in the top 12 is Sri Lanka. The country pair is served by two routes to Colombo from Karachi and Lahore, with the latter only being launched in November last year with a twice-weekly service operated by Mihin Lanka. Services to Karachi have seen an increase in capacity of 11%, a sector flown by SriLankan Airlines. Of the country markets in the top 12, the only one to show a decline in capacity is Kuwait. In total there are three connections between Kuwait City and Pakistan for S15 (same as in S14), Lahore (-6%), Islamabad (+1%) and Sialkot (-23%). Surprisingly Karachi, the largest airport in Pakistan relating to seat capacity, does not have a direct service to Kuwait.

Chart - Pakistan's top 12 airlines Monthly seat capacity in S15http://www.anna.aero/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/chart-Pakistans-top-12-airlines2-300x205.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 757px) 100vw, 757px" />

Source: OAG Schedules Analyser data for August 2015.

Turkish growing faster than MEB3 in Pakistan

Over the past 12 months, Turkish Airlines has grown seat capacity out of Pakistan by 38%, beating the MEB3 carriers of Emirates (+13%), Qatar Airways (+28%) and Etihad Airways (+18%). What should also be noted is that Emirates’ sister airline, flydubai (highlighted in light green), has now overtaken Etihad Airways in relation to the monthly seat capacity on offer by both airlines in S15, helped by the carrier reporting a growth in capacity of 66%, and climbing from 12th spot in 2014 to eighth in 2015 in relation to Pakistan’s top 12 airlines. This has been helped in part by the airline recently launching services from Dubai to Faisalabad. Nonetheless the number one out of Pakistan remains the country’s national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. The airline has reported a growth in capacity when compared to the same time period of last year of 25%. None of the airlines in the top 12 are reporting seat capacity reductions in S15. However, Air Indus is showing a consistent pattern with 0% growth and offering the same amount of seats as S14, but growth from Airblue means that the airline drops to fifth in S15 from fourth in last year.

Air Indus to resume operations from 11 September

Air Indus (highlighted in red), Pakistan’s fifth largest carrier in S15, was recently suspended by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan) for violating safety regulations on 1 July. However an investigation by anna.aero shows that the airline’s booking system is taking bookings for flights commencing from 11 September. Therefore they have been considered in the analysis of Pakistan’s top 12 airlines as a result of assuming that flights will be resuming shortly. However, anna.aero is unaware as to the amount of seats that would have been lost during the suspended period, which would alter the overall 2015 top 12 airline standings.

Comment by Riaz Haq on July 7, 2016 at 7:16am

Geneva – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released its updated passenger growth forecast, projecting that passenger numbers are expected to reach 7 billion by 2034 with a 3.8% average annual growth in demand (2014 baseline year). That is more than double the 3.3 billion who flew in 2014 and exactly twice as many as the 3.5 billion expected in 2015.

Previously, IATA forecast 7.4 billion passengers in 2034 based on a 4.1% average annual growth rate. The revised result reflects negative developments in the global economy that are expected to dampen demand for air transport, especially slower economic growth projections for China. 
The five fastest-increasing markets in terms of additional passengers per year over the forecast period will be China (758 million new passengers for a total of 1.196 billion), the US (523 million new passengers for a total of 1.156 billion), India (275 million new passengers for a total of 378 million), Indonesia (132 million new passengers for a total of 219 million) and Brazil (104 million new passengers for a total of 202 million).

Seven of the ten fastest-growing markets in percentage terms will be in Africa. The top ten will be: Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Serbia, Tanzania, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Each of these markets is expected to grow by 7-8% each year on average over the next 20 years, doubling in size each decade.
In terms of routes, Asian, South American and African destinations will see the fastest growth, reflecting economic and demographic growth in those markets. Indonesia-East Timor will be the fastest growing route, at 13.9%, followed by India-Hong Kong (10.4%), Within Honduras (10.3%), Within Pakistan (9.9%) and UAE-Ethiopia (9.5%)
“The demand for air transport continues to grow. There is much work to be done to prepare for the 7 billion passengers expected to take the skies in 2034,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
“Economic and political events over the last year have impacted some of the fundamentals for growth. As a result, we expect some 400 million fewer people to be traveling in 2034 than we did at this time last year. Air transport is a critical part of the global economy. And policy-makers should take note of its sensitivity. The economic impact of 400 million fewer travelers is significant. Each is a lost opportunity to explore, create social and cultural value, and generate economic and employment opportunities. It is important that we don’t create additional headwinds with excessive taxation, onerous regulation or infrastructure deficiencies,” said Tyler.

http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2015-11-26-01.aspx

Comment by Riaz Haq on September 18, 2016 at 6:37pm

Middle East’s Largest Air #Cargo Handler to Invest $18M to Double Capacity in #Pakistan By Dec 2017 - https://goo.gl/bptPzF via @PKKHTweet

Gerry’s dnata, a 50/50 joint venture between Gerry’s and dnata, has announced its plans to invest $18 million in Pakistan.

The joint-venture, created in 1993, operates in as many as seven airports in Pakistan. Its main domain is handling cargo and luggage of 12 international airlines at Pakistan’s airports.

The company is aiming to double its working capacity by December 2017. For that purpose, they have invested $18 million. The amount will be utilized in buying ground service equipment as well as increasing storage capacity.

“We have placed Pakistan’s biggest order for ground service equipment worth $7 million and are investing another $11 million to double storage capacity of our warehouse at Karachi airport,” said Syed Haris Raza, Gerry’s dnata vice president.

Haris Raza estimates the cargo traded by air in Pakistan to about 10 percent of the total cargo. He also said that around 500,000 tons of cargo is transported by air freight in and out of the country, every year.

The Saudi Arabian Airlines, which operates over 40 flights a week to and from Pakistan, recently decided to outsource its ground handling services to Gerry’s dnata. The investment was made after taking that into consideration.

Comment by Riaz Haq on September 18, 2016 at 6:49pm

offers its wide-body Dreamliner against to International Airlines

http://www.thecountrycaller.com/19807-the-boeing-company-ba-offers-...

Yesterday, Boeing Co (NYSE:BA) made a switch over attempt, where it offered 787 Dreamliner family wide-body planes against 777-300 model. The offer was made to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)

In his letter to Pakistan Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Boeing Company’s Vice Chairman Ray Conner expressed his inclination towards enhanced cooperation for PIA’s improved performance. Meanwhile, he offered 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft instead of 777, which was agreed in the previous contract signed in 2006.

PIA – Boeing Relationship

The business relationship between the two companies extends way back in 1961, when PIA placed four planes order for Boeing 707 and Boeing 720. So far, the airline had ordered 11 planes order for Boeing 707/720 family, six planes order for Boeing 737 family, two planes order for Boeing 747 family, four planes order for Boeing DC-10, whereas 13 planes order for Boeing 777 family.

This accumulates to the total of 36 planes of different models, out of which 31 planes are duly delivered by the aircraft manufacturer. For the remaining five 777-300ER model planes, the aforementioned offer was made. The order was initially placed in 2002, which is still undelivered.

Boeing 777 vs 787

According to the company’s official specification, Boeing 777-300ER has 396 passengers capacity; whereas it has the capability to travel 13,650 kilometers distance in one go. Its maximum allowed takeoff weight is 351,530 kilogram. Its official market price as of August 2016 is $339.6 million.

On the other hand, Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner has 330 passengers capacity, having the capability to travel 11,910 kilometer distance in one go. Its maximum takeoff weight was not disclosed, since it is still in the completion mode and is expected to be released later this year. Its official market price as of August 2016 is $306.1 million.

Boeing 787 Excess Inventory Issue

Last week, Boeing CFO Greg Smith attended Jefferies Industrials Conference. In this conference, he disclosed that the company is intended to reduce Boeing 777 family production to halt Boeing 787 family, if both these wide-body aircraft keep depicting lower demand. It is pertinent to note that as of August 2, 2016, the aircraft manufacturer had claimed collective $1.7 billion in after-tax duties against excess Boeing 787 inventory and sluggish Boeing 747 sales, in its 2QFY16 financial results.

It is hereby apparent that PIA had paid more amount to Boeing against which it gets offer of lesser value plane, after 14 years. Furthermore, through 777-300ER, PIA could offer more passengers’ commutation against 787-10 Dreamliner. Besides this, 787-10 Dreamliner delivery will take another couple of years, as it is slated to start deliveries from 2018 onwards.

Comment by Riaz Haq on October 17, 2016 at 10:38pm

#Pakistan’s new private air carrier Serene Air to start flying domestic routes by year-end

http://tribune.com.pk/story/1201285/domestic-operations-new-air-car...

Serene Air has been granted a licence by the air travel authority to establish a private airline in Pakistan, said sources in the aviation industry.

The airline would begin operations on domestic routes by November or December 2016, as per its plan submitted to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), stated a source, who remained involved in the developments.

PIA to lease 8 planes to upgrade fleet

“The authority granted Serene Air a licence in March 2016 to establish the airline with headquarters in Pakistan, however, the company has not yet been granted the Air Operator Certificate that will allow it to fly,” he said.

“The grant of the certificate is linked with the acquisition of aircraft mentioned in the business plan.”

He said airline officials were expected to fly to the United States to acquire five Boeing 737-800s, which would be bought with the approval of CAA officials. “The 737-800 is the latest aircraft of Boeing company.”

As per rules, the company is required to have at least three aircraft to establish an airline.

Serene Air will fly on almost all domestic routes, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Multan. CAA rules say the airline can apply for an international licence if it successfully operates on domestic routes for over a year.

At present, there are three airlines that are already flying on domestic routes, of which one is state-owned – Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The remaining two – Airblue and Shaheen Air – belong to the private sector.

Passengers ‘damage’ PIA Premier aircraft

Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry Standing Committee on Aviation Chairman Muhammad Yahya Polani said Pakistan’s aviation industry had a huge potential.

“Pakistan should launch more airlines on domestic routes as the availability of more air carriers will spark true competition and benefit passengers with lower fares and improved service quality,” he said.

“All the three airlines operating on the domestic routes have less than 100 aircraft combined, which are below the required number to serve the nation with an estimated population of 220 million,” said Polani.

“The Turkish Airline has more than 300 aircraft for a population of 75 million. It covers over 1,500 destinations every day and what’s more is that its private sector airlines have even greater number of aircraft.”

Similar is the case with the United States’ United Airlines. It has over 1,000 aircraft that fly to 6,700 destinations every day while the United Arab Emirates airline flies to over 1,300 destinations every day and has a very limited population.

Comment by Riaz Haq on November 7, 2016 at 9:47am

#Chinese consortium to launch new #airline in #Pakistan. #China #FDI #CPEC #PIA

http://nation.com.pk/national/05-Nov-2016/chinese-consortium-to-lau...

Praising the country’s economy as capable of absorbing and capitalising the direct foreign investment, the Chinese investors have expressed their interest in launching a new airline in Pakistan for which they would be discussing modalities with the Government of Pakistan.

-----

The delegation apprised the Prime Minister that they are bringing $3 billion Investment Fund to Pakistan because of the vision of the Prime Minister that focus on infrastructure development and energy sectors.

The Chinese delegation also expressed its intent to explore possibility of starting a new airline in Pakistan after the permission from the Government of Pakistan. The Chinese side said that it is actively pursuing its investments in infrastructure, power, aviation and tourism sectors of Pakistan.

“We fully appreciate the vision of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif which enunciates that economic prosperity is an offshoot of infrastructure connectivity and self-sufficiency in the energy sector,” the members of the delegation stated.

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