Italian Airline Neos gears up to commence flights to
Pakistan
Italian carrier Neos is set to introduce flights connecting
Italy and Pakistan, with plans to operate weekly services between Lahore and
either its Rome or Milan hubs.
Neos, a 22-year-old Italian airline, has a history of
pioneering routes to stimulate demand in markets where it may not yet exist,
and its decision to establish operations in Lahore aligns with this strategy.
The airline currently serves 53 destinations and is actively expanding its
route network, including adding more long-haul destinations.
Virgin
Atlantic winds-up operations in Islamabad
According to reports from Pakistani news outlet 24NewsHD,
Neos has engaged in discussions with the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority,
indicating that flights could soon be launched. Neos has also expressed
interest in serving Jinnah International Airport (KHI) in Karachi and Islamabad
International Airport (ISB). Presently, there are no direct flights connecting
Lahore with the European Union.
An Unconventional Route Choice At first glance, Neos's
decision to venture into Pakistan may appear unconventional, given the limited
tourist market in the nation and relatively low tourist traffic from Pakistan
to Italy. However, Neos has a track record of successfully launching services
in similar scenarios. Much like the American hybrid carrier Breeze Airways,
Neos thrives by initiating routes that create demand, even in areas where it
may not currently exist.
Turkiye’s
airline granted permission to begin operations in Pakistan
Neos's selection of Lahore as its entry point is another
intriguing strategic move. Lahore is not Pakistan's largest or busiest airport,
making it an unconventional choice. In the past, Neos has introduced routes to
secondary cities, such as Milan to Amritsar (ATQ) and Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) in
Egypt. Additionally, while there is currently no competition on routes between
Italy and Karachi, Pakistan International Airlines may be on the brink of
resuming flights to EU destinations, having reportedly passed the safety audit
conducted by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in July.
A Glimpse into Neos Airlines Neos, founded 22 years ago,
operates flights to 53 destinations spanning southern Europe, Africa, Asia, the
Caribbean, Brazil, the United States, and the Middle East. Initially
established as a joint venture between Italian tourism company Alpitour S.p.A.
and TUI Group, Neos has expanded its route network significantly.
Bahrain’s
Gulf Air to start operations to several cities of Pakistan
Under the leadership of CEO Carlo Stradiotti, the airline
continues to pursue growth and the addition of long-haul destinations. For
instance, Neos will resume its service to Phuket on December 19, 2023,
following a temporary suspension.
Neos's current fleet includes Boeing 737 Next Generation,
737 MAX, and 787 aircraft, having retired its 767-300ER jets for freighter
conversion in 2020. The airline operates five 737-800s, four MAX 8s, and six
787-9 Dreamliners, with four new MAX aircraft on order.
Source: https://simpleflying.com/