Pakistan International Airlines

[LBAYORKIE]

What is clear is there is a strong desire for the British Pakistani communities of Leeds and Bradford to fly to Pakistan from Leeds Bradford.

Not according to WH's last ACC report..

 

[White Heather]

Not according to WH's last ACC report..

My last report didn't say they didn't want to fly to Pakistan, it said the following:


LBA have had meetings with the Council of Mosques regarding opportunities to serve the Muslim market. Previous attempts at restoring a direct ISB route have come to nothing but discussions have identified the benefits instead of operating to Saudi Arabia, as this provides links to Pakistan but also serves an increasing demand among younger generation Muslims for holidays abroad in countries that have a Muslim culture. LBA and representatives from the Council if Mosques have therefore been in discussions with Saudi carriers and there is hope that something might be available from the winter 2025 season.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

My last report didn't say they didn't want to fly to Pakistan, it said the following:


LBA have had meetings with the Council of Mosques regarding opportunities to serve the Muslim market. Previous attempts at restoring a direct ISB route have come to nothing but discussions have identified the benefits instead of operating to Saudi Arabia, as this provides links to Pakistan but also serves an increasing demand among younger generation Muslims for holidays abroad in countries that have a Muslim culture. LBA and representatives from the Council if Mosques have therefore been in discussions with Saudi carriers and there is hope that something might be available from the winter 2025

Yes, thats correct. I understood it to mean that the demand was now more for flights to muslim countries other than Pakistan.

 

[Aviador]

Yes, thats correct. I understood it to mean that the demand was now more for flights to muslim countries other than Pakistan.

Someone posted a Routes video last week where the CEO was talking about the opportunities to the Middle Eastern markets.

 

[gulftraveller]

Connections through Saudi to Pakistan are poor, based on the current Saudia 'banks'. It would be interesting to see which Saudi carrier might consider picking this up and whether they have suitable aircraft which are not premium heavy and have relevant performance.

 

[White Heather]

Yes, thats correct. I understood it to mean that the demand was now more for flights to muslim countries other than Pakistan.

I rather think it's an indication that LBA feel they have a better chance of flights to the Middle East Muslim countries, with onward connections to Pakistan, than they have securing non stop direct flights to Pakistan, basically, because there's not many airlines available and equipped to do it. They see a Middle East option as killing two birds with one stone. Firstly, providing flights to Muslim countries for those who wish to visit there, and secondly, providing an option for getting to Pakistan with one stop.

Whether airlines exist who do that, or will do that in the future, I dont know, but that was the option supported by the Council of Mosques and LBA seemed quite upbeat about it happening in about 12 months time.

Personally, I've heard such things before and nothing happened. But never say never. There's undoubtedly a market from this area but then there's that black hole if an airport over the hill that seems to swallow up all the demand .

 

[752]

It could be one of the things where if one carrier takes the leap it could push other carrier say a link to the Far East and then see Turkish jump in etc.

 

[Bigman]

It could be one of the things where if one carrier takes the leap it could push other carrier say a link to the Far East and then see Turkish jump in etc.

I agree. We need Turkish which would tick lots of boxes. Even someone like Egyptair wouldn't go amiss

 

[gulftraveller]

Nonstop Far East would be difficult given runway constraints. Egyptair is not likely but a Turkish carrier would fit the bill. Pegasus is more likely than THY (LBA is apparently not on their radar). The only problem is that in Pakistan, PGT currently only serve Karachi. But it would still be a good addition.

 

[Aviador]

Nonstop Far East would be difficult given runway constraints. Egyptair is not likely but a Turkish carrier would fit the bill. Pegasus is more likely than THY (LBA is apparently not on their radar). The only problem is that in Pakistan, PGT currently only serve Karachi. But it would still be a good addition.

Which Far East Countries have been suggested?

The Middle East is absolutely doable as is Pakistan and India. We understand the runway has limitations. Those limitations might mean the aircraft type required might not always be used by the target airlines. Obviously this makes it harder for the airport to attract airlines but not impossible. There is a growing desire to fly further afield from local airports, not just here in the UK, but overseas too. There are also lots of benefits of flying point to point especially on niche routes as they are unlikely to attract competition and smaller aircraft can be used.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

I agree. We need Turkish which would tick lots of boxes. Even someone like Egyptair wouldn't go amiss

Turkey would be a huge addition to LBA. The network they cover is enormous and you could reach Sydney in one stop now.

Smallest N/B in the fleet is A319 with 132 seats, biggest in the fleet is A321NEO with 182 seats or CEO in all economy at 194 seats. And all that is in between.

They serve 3 destinations in Pakistan so would serve the community well.

2 daily on the N/B please ...

 

[White Heather]

Nonstop Far East would be difficult given runway constraints. Egyptair is not likely but a Turkish carrier would fit the bill. Pegasus is more likely than THY (LBA is apparently not on their radar). The only problem is that in Pakistan, PGT currently only serve Karachi. But it would still be a good addition.

Only a year or maybe two years ago, the CEO of Turkish Airlines specifically mentioned LBA as an airport they would like to operate to in the not too distant future, so unsure where you get information suggesting LBA isn't on their radar?

 

[gulftraveller]

Because they have published, more than once, a list of their targeted destinations for the next ten years. NCL and GLA are listed, not LBA. Even at NCL and GLA there seems to be no signs of the routes materialising.