Bhoja Air grounded temporarily

[LUNN]

The Pakistani LCC have been asked to stop flying since a week due to not having three operational aircraft per CAA rules for qualification.

Bhoja lost one 732 in a crash in April, and were left with operating one other and a DC-9 from Star Air Aviation (Pakistan), while an ex-Sky Airlines (Turkey) 734 is stored in Karachi for unknown reasons.

Bhoja plans to add two more 732 ex-Comair (South Africa), the other two 732 including the crashed one are also from the same carrier, they can automatically resume operations after these aircraft join the fleet whenever that is, expected to be mid June. However the airline has asked crew to go on a two month unpaid leave.

Sharjah based Eastern Skyjets who were planning to take over Bhoja management have also backed out of the deal.

[AA 1818]

So, this 'temporary grounding' doesn't sound so temporary. There are a lot of hurdles to cross, and past that point, the airline will still have to battle a name associated with a crash. At best, the fleet is old and needs overhauling.

Best case scenario - this is a hell of a uphill battle to turn this thing around...

[LUNN]

Air Arabia are now said to have taken over them perhaps in a joint venture like Fly Yeti, operations to resume from August.