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Shaheen Air |
Shaheen Air International operating out of Karachi is a Pakistani private airline. Shaheen Air majorly operates scheduled services in the main cities of Pakistan and to the Gulf. Its major main base is Jinnah International Airport, Karachi. Shaheen also has a hub at Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad.
The Shaheen Air airline commenced operations in 1993. Surprisingly, it was a project of the Shaheen Foundation of the Pakistan Air Force. In 1994 it not surprisingly earned the designation of second national carrier of Pakistan. International operations began in 1995 on the Peshawar - Dubai route. The airline started a fleet of Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft on most of its domestic routes. After some two years operation it lost its status as the second national carrier of Pakistan as many new private players entered the aviation sector. Nevertheless government largesse in important matters, such as allocation of lucrative flight routes still continued.
In 2004, the management of the airline was changed as it was held responsible for its poor success. The entry of the new chairman of Shaheen Air and its taking over by TAWA International Inc. of Canada was marked by massive Foreign Direct Investment in Shaheen
In 2004 end, the first Boeing 737-200 Advwas inducted on the Karachi-Lahore-Karachi lucrative route,. Russian aircrafts were gradually phased out to imporove service and efficiency.
In 2005, the cargo division as a result of agreement between British Airways Cargo and Pakistan Post by airlifting 150 tonnes of export cargo. Shaheen Air Cargo also acquired IL-76 aircraft on Dubai - Karachi route.
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In 2006, Shaheen Air International (SAI) became Shaheen Air and the airline brought into effect a new livery and also introduced flights to Quetta - Karachi.
In May 2006 , the Civil Aviation Authority banned all Shaheen Air flights as it owed millions to the CAA. The airline was cleared by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to resume its operations on the basis of a cheque towards payment of outstanding dues.
In 2006, Shaheen Air Pakistan started four times a week to London.
In October 2007, Shaheen Air International declared plans for there Long Haul services from Islamabad direct to London Luton Airport and Leeds Bradford Airport in 2008.
In November 2007, Shaheen Air in Pakistan acquired 2 Airbus A310-300 aircraft from a Turkish company for its planned long Haul routes to UK.
The main General Sales Agent and operators of Shaheen Air International in the Untied Kingdom and Ireland is Ababeel Travels and Tours Ltd. Started as a small family business, it now has 12 branches in the UK.
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