Pakistan International Airlines has taken delivery of the first ex Saudi Arabia Airlines Airbus A320 aircraft. PIA recently decided to acquire two Airbus A320s on dry lease rm ALAFCO. The first aircraft with Saudi registration HZ-AS20 arrived at PIA Karachi base from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcan airport. This aircraft acquired the new Pakistani registration AP-BMX. Pakistani local media has been rife with rumours about PIA inducting aircraft. And the number varies from 15 aircraft to 5 depending on who you want to believe. The second aircraft is expected to arrive early next year. PIA website has updated the fleet registration.
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PIA spokesperson said in a statement “AP BMX landed at Karachi Airport today. With induction of the aircraft the total A320 fleet of PIA will reach 12 while another one will join next month. COO Mr Aijaz Mazhar and CTO Mr Amir Ali inspected the aircraft upon its arrival. The induction of planes is part of PIA’s expansion plan for our turn around and sustained profitability”.
The new aircraft are both Airbus A320-214 as the other variants of the A320 already in PIA fleet. AP-BMX and AP-BMY are both acquired on dry lease for up to six years. At the same time, PIA will issue a new tender for the acquisition of 3 more aircraft. Both aircraft are leased from ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance Company KSCP, headquartered in Kuwait. It has a Sharia-compliant aircraft leasing business model since 2000. Both aircraft were seen in Istanbul in Allegiant Air’s livery with Saudi registration. Apparently both were not delivered to Allegiant for whatever reason.
Airbus A320 AP-BMX
This aircraft was manufactured in 2010 and it took its first flight on 24 July 2010. It was delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines on 12 August 2010 and served with the airline for the next 8 years. In May 2018 it was stored and then from 1st May 2018, the air fleets website shows it is with Allegiant Air but there is no registration associated with the aircraft. So it is assumed to be in storage. The aircraft has two CFMI CFM56-5B4/P engines.
Airbus A320 AP-BMY
This aircraft was manufactured in 2010 and it took its first flight on 13 August 2010. It was delivered to Saudi Arabian Airlines on 24 August 2010 and served with the airline for the next 8 years. In July 2018 it was stored and then from 1st August 2018, the air fleets website shows it is with Allegiant Air but there is no registration associated with the aircraft. So it is assumed to be in storage. The aircraft has two CFMI CFM56-5B4/P engines.