AirSial's social media has been active lately, showing off some of its newly acquired Airbus A320s in advance of commencing international operations. The airline is adding two more A320-200s to its existing A320 fleet. Today, let's look at the airline's new additions, and where it intends to fly internationally.
Two A320-200s added to the fleet
In advance of launching international flights, Pakistan's AirSial is expanding its fleet by a whopping 66% (in that it's adding two more aircraft to its existing three). While the two aircraft are new to AirSial, they are far from newly-built jets.
When it comes to the aircraft registered AP-BOR, there is unfortunately little information available about this particular airframe other than its registration. While photos posted by AirSial clearly show the aircraft's registration letters, online searches yield very little information. Thus, we don't know any of the aircraft's previous operators nor do we know its age.
However, when it comes to the 2nd aircraft, registered AP-BOS, we know that this Airbus A320-200 is just over nine and a half years of age. First having flown in February 2013, this aircraft has MSN 5472 and began its life flying with JetStar Asia. The aircraft was a victim of the pandemic as JetStar Asia had to give it up and withdraw it from use in March 2020. The A320 would then sit in storage from April 2020 to June 2022 under the care of BOC Aviation.
According to the website ProPakistani, the preparation work on the two jets is at the final stages and these aircraft are likely to arrive in Pakistan in the next few days. This, however, will depend on the regulator’s permission from different authorities.
Where will AirSial fly internationally?
ProPakistani notes that the airline recently received permission from Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to commence its operations to several Muslim countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Iraq.
Having started its operations at the end of 2020, AirSial has been flying domestic operations within Pakistan's borders for the last year and a half. Out of its Karachi hub in the country's south, AirSial serves just a handful of destinations: Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. At present, flights to Lahore are twice daily while flights to Islamabad are operating three times per day. The airline's website also notes that it serves the cities of Quetta and Sialkot - although FlightRadar24.com doesn't show any services to these airports in the near future.
The AirSial fleet
Without the two aircraft soon to join the fleet, AirSial operates three Airbus A320-200s - registered AP-BOA, AP-BOB, and AB-BOC. Together, these aircraft average about 15 and a half years and have flown for airlines like Air New Zealand, Avianca El Salvador, and Avianca Peru.
The oldest of these jets is AP-BOA, which is now a little over 18 years old.
Have you flown with this airline yet? If so, we'd love to hear about the experience! Leave a comment and let us know.
Sources: ProPakistani, Planespotters.net, FlightRadar24.com