AirSial, a new startup airline, founded in 2017 is set to commence its flights from 15th December. On Saturday, it welcomed its first of the three aircraft of the series Airbus A320-200s, after it made a long journey from Goodyear, Phoenix to Karachi. Due to the airbus A320’s range limitations, it had to make 3 stops; New Hampshire, Ireland, and Egypt.
AirSial has leased the three Airbuses A320-200s from AerCap, the world’s largest aircraft leasing company, with its headquarters located in Dublin, Ireland. According to Airfleets.net, the 16-year-old aircraft is registered as AP-BOA, previously it was registered as ZK-OJH, it has flown under the banner of New Zealand Air and Freedom Air.
From Phoenix to Karachi
Observing data on FlightRadar24.com, the AirSial Airbus departed from Goodyear airport in Phoenix, on November 27 at 12:29 local time as flight JTN275. Just over four hours later it landed at Portsmouth airport in New Hampshire at 18:44 local time.
After being grounded for under two hours, the airbus began the second leg of its journey over the Atlantic from Portsmouth to Belfast, Ireland. It took off at 20:15 local time and arrived at Belfast airport, the next day, 28th November at 07:09 local time. The flight time was approximately six hours under the flight number JTN278.
It took off from Belfast to Cario, after getting a good day’s rest. It departed at 20:01 and arrived at Cairo airport the next day at 03:04 local time. The AirSial Airbus A320, flight number P7786, remained airborne for five hours.
After being on the ground for about two hours, the Airbus departed for the last leg of its journey. Carrying the same flight number, it took off this morning and arrived at Karachi International Airport around five in the evening.
A warm welcome
As the new AirSial Airbus A320 reached home, it received a warm welcome. A large crowd of officials, media, and a band had gathered to greet the new aircraft.
Flown by pilot, Steve Giordano, he updated aviation geeks throughout the journey, via Twitter. In a Twitter post, he posted pictures from the cockpit at Karachi International Airport, saying “I’ll take deliveries- especially FIRST AIRCRAFT deliveries above repos any day!”
I’ll take Deliveries – especially FIRST AIRCRAFT deliveries above repos any day! pic.twitter.com/P0d1jYMGpL
— Steve Giordano (@JTTsteve) November 29, 2020
Shoaib Akhtar, a world-renowned Pakistani cricketer, originally from the city of Sialkot, took this opportunity to show the world how proud he was of being a Sialkoti, and to welcome the new AirSial Airbus A320 to its home.
– Finally the much awaited #AirSial #A320 is here, it's a proud moment for everyone in Sialkot, who has been a part of the process… #ProudSialkoti ♥️ pic.twitter.com/3A4awYWzpU
— Shoaib Malik 🇵🇰 (@realshoaibmalik) November 29, 2020
The airline was originally planned to launch in July 2020 but was delayed due to Covid-19 and restrictions on travel. The location for the Airline’s inaugural flight remains undisclosed, but it will make operations between cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. It will further go on to cover routes between, Pakistan and UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Malaysia.
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