Airblue
PakistanHybrid carrierSince 2003
Airblue (IATA PA, ICAO ABQ) is a privately owned Pakistani airline founded in 2003 and headquartered in Islamabad. It flies an all-Airbus A320 family fleet on domestic routes such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, and internationally to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan. It is not in a global alliance.
Direct connection available on ReservationHub- Founded
- 2003
- Headquarters
- Islamabad, Pakistan
- Country
- Pakistan
- Main hubs
- Islamabad International Airport (ISB) · Jinnah International Airport, Karachi (KHI) · Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore (LHE)
- Airline type
- Hybrid carrier
- Alliance
- None
- Loyalty
- BlueMiles
- Ownership
- Privately owned Pakistani airline.
- Founders
- Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Tariq Chaudhary
- Callsign
- PAKBLUE
- Website
- airblue.com
How travel agents book Airblue
GDS distribution
No verified public statement of Airblue's GDS distribution arrangements was found for this profile.
NDC
No public NDC programme details verified at time of writing.
Direct channels
Direct bookings are made on airblue.com. Airblue also runs a certified travel agent web portal, open to agencies in Pakistan, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, the US, Europe and Canada, offering commissions, discounted fares, e-ticketing and online account management.
Notes for travel agents
Agencies apply online to become Airblue certified agents and then book through the airline's own web portal.
On ReservationHub
Airblue is one of the direct airline connections listed on our integrations page, alongside GDS (Amadeus, Sabre, Travelport) and NDC content. Agencies get it in the SaaS platform; developers through the Travel API.
History of Airblue
Airblue was founded in 2003 by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Tariq Chaudhary, who is chairman and chief executive. The founders set out to build a modern, technology-led private airline in a market long dominated by the state carrier PIA, and Airblue has grown into one of Pakistan's leading private airlines.
In 2007 Airblue signed a firm order for eight Airbus A320s, bringing its total A320 family order to 14, and it built up its BlueMiles frequent flyer programme. In 2012 it was named Best Pakistani Airline. In October 2021 it took its first Airbus A321neo, leased from GECAS with CFM LEAP-1A engines, becoming the first operator of an Airbus neo aircraft in Pakistan.
In 2026 the airline expanded its A321neo fleet, introduced cashless travel and the Airflix entertainment service, and launched direct flights to Baku. Airblue Limited was among the four parties prequalified in 2025 to bid for PIA, but the bidding was won by a different consortium.
Milestones
- 2003Founded by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Tariq Chaudhary.
- 2007Firm order for eight Airbus A320s, taking its A320 family order to 14.
- 2012Named Best Pakistani Airline.
- 2021First Airbus A321neo delivered, the first neo in Pakistan.
- 2026Expanded the A321neo fleet and launched direct flights to Baku.
Fleet
Aircraft types in service as of 2026
Airblue flies an all-Airbus A320 family fleet. In 2021 it operated nine A320 family aircraft when its first A321neo arrived. Its own 2026 timeline confirms further A321neo deliveries. A November 2026 tracking snapshot showed 12 aircraft: five A320s, five A321s and two A321neos, though this is not an official count.
Network and hubs
Airblue serves key domestic cities including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Skardu. Internationally it flies to the UAE, including Dubai, to Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah and Dammam, and since 2026 to Baku in Azerbaijan.
Most international demand comes from Pakistani workers and families travelling to and from the Gulf, along with pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The airline's head office is at ISE Towers on Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad.
Airblue: frequently asked questions
What is Airblue's IATA code?
Airblue uses the IATA code PA and the ICAO code ABQ, with the radio callsign PAKBLUE. Flight numbers on booking screens appear as PA followed by digits. In the IATA code directory the airline is listed as M/S Airblue Limited.
How do travel agents sell Airblue tickets?
Agencies can apply on airblue.com to become Airblue certified agents. Approved agents sell through Airblue's own web portal, with commissions, discounted fares, electronic ticketing and online account management. The programme is open to agencies in Pakistan, the Gulf, the UK, North America and Europe.
Where does Airblue fly?
Airblue flies domestically between Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Multan and Skardu, and internationally to the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, including Dubai, Jeddah, Dammam and Baku. Check the current schedule, because routes and frequencies change by season.
What is Airblue's loyalty programme?
Airblue's frequent flyer programme is BlueMiles. Members earn miles on Airblue flights and can redeem them for flights, upgrades and other rewards. Airblue is not in a global alliance, so miles are earned and used mainly on its own network.
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Book a meetingSources
- Airblue — Our journey
- Airblue — Travel agents
- Airblue — Official site
- IATA — Airline code search
- FAA — JO 7340.2 Contractions, ICAO aircraft operator designators
- LARA — Airblue receives its first A321neo
- Privatisation Commission of Pakistan — PC Board prequalifies 4 investors for PIA
- Flightradar24 — Airblue fleet