FARUKH SHEHZAD

OSLO, APR 18: The middle of a worldwide pandemic, with the aviation and tourism industries in ruins, would not, perhaps, seem the best time to launch a new airline. The new Norwegian airline, FLYR however, has done just that. A heavy focus on technology, for both customers and operations, is behind the plan to make this new airline nimble, sustainable, customer-friendly, and low cost…everything that they feel the current airlines in Norway are not.

FLYR: A Norwegian verb and now an airline

The Norwegian domestic airline industry has, in recent years, seen the emergence of new companies wanting to take on the established order. Traditionally dominated by the former government-controlled Scandinavian Air Service (SAS) and the now newly part Chinese-owned, Norwegian Air Shuttle, FLYR, a new airline which hopes to start flights by the end of June, is the latest entrant in an increasingly crowded market.

FLYR, as its website proudly announces, “is the Norwegian word for ‘flying’ and embodies us perfectly…(as)…it challenges traditional conventions of air travel”. Headed by C.E.O Tonje Wikstrøm Frislid, it is the brainchild of “enthusiastic aviation experts with extensive experience” who have worked in the Norwegian domestic and international airline industry. It will service both domestically, within Norway, and abroad, to so-called “popular destinations in Europe”, like Alicante, Malaga, and Spain.

Pandemic decimating tourism and aviation sectors in Norway

FLYR hopes to capitalize in an industry where there is as much turbulence on the ground as up in the air. The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has absolutely decimated both the aviation industry and, to a lesser extent, the Norwegian tourism industry, which is heavily reliant on air travel.

Norway is still, more than a year since the emergence of the coronavirus in its borders, struggling with the coronavirus pandemic. Borders are closed. Both local municipalities and the national government have, at times, locked down the entire country, restricting and severely limiting both national and international travel.

However, the government has, recently, unveiled its “four-stage” blueprint to open up Norwegian society. FLYR hopes to capitalize on a post-pandemic travel boom, and its website states that the company was “built for the Norwegian market after the coronavirus pandemic…we built an airline from scratch…with a size, organization, and business model that is adapted to this future”. The future may be looking even brighter as many of its future competitors have been on shaky ground lately.

FLYR: A new entrant in an increasingly crowded, and troubled, market

The past few years have seen drastic change for the Norwegian aviation sector. Breaking what was once almost a duopoly has been the emergence of low-cost carriers, of which FLYR is just the latest. Both low-cost carriers, against which FLYR will compete, and other more traditionally prestigious carriers, have had hard times in Norway of late.

The very epitome of low-cost carriers, Ryanair has seen a scaling back of its Norwegian operations. It was forced to move from Rygge Airport, in 2016, to Gardermoen blaming a government-enforced departure fee (of NOK80 for every passenger) as being an “environmentally unfriendly tax…”, according to a Routes Online article.

Wizz Air, the Hungarian ultra-low-cost carrier, had its maiden flight last November but its entry into Norway has been anything but smooth. A plethora of problems ranging from Norwegian pilot union concerns over the company’s human rights record to worries over its planes being coronavirus superspreaders to the closing of its Trondheim base has all seen the first 6 months of operation be one full of turbulence.

Both SAS and Norwegian have seen dramatic year-on-year passenger number declines whilst Norwegian itself has seen drastic financial restructuring, with help from the Chinese state, through a subsidiary, according to Forbes.

IPO raises NOK 600 million whilst stressing Norwegian distinctions

FLYR is keen to represent itself as everything that these other airlines servicing the Norwegian market are not. It is a private company (with no government partnership or support, unlike SAS) which was recently floated on the Oslo Stock Exchange gathering some NOK 600 million in its initial price offering (IPO) last month. The company, according to Reuters, now has a market cap of approximately NOK 700 million, which is not a bad result for an airline without a single plane in flight yet.

It is also keen to stress its affinity for Norway and the Norwegian market. The company will be based in Norway and will possess, according to its website, “an aircraft fleet, organization and business model intended for the Norwegian market.” After two “foreign” companies expanding, with mixed success, into Norway (Ryanair and Wizz Air), FLYR is presented as very much a Norwegian company.

Given Wizz Air’s recent troubles with outsourcing and low wages, FLYR’s mission statement is timely. It will hope to soothe those Norwegian politicians, legal and aviation experts, and those in the general public, who want businesses run in Norway to adhere to Norwegian business and legal standards and practices.

Sleek business model and agile infrastructure ready for demand

FLYR also hopes to be a more agile airline than its competition. What is seen as its main competitor, Norwegian, is in the process of scaling back its fleet from 150 to 40 planes due to the impact of coronavirus on the travel and aviation industry. With plans drawn up before its IPO, FLYR aims to buy a fleet of 8 jets and expand to 28 within the next 3-4 years.

Possessing no aging fleet, or having a large infrastructure to maintain during this crisis, will see FLYR be poised for growth. Chief Executive, Tonje Wikstroem Frislid, told Reuters, during its IPO, that “…due to the availability of aircraft and crew, a rapid and demand-driven scale-up is possible…” She also added that FLYR’s business model “…will enable us to pursue opportunities in a changing market and a recovering airline industry.” Its first aircraft, a Boeing 737-800, will be delivered in May with additional aircraft arriving in June with a view to expanding its fleet by this autumn.

Technology means smarter and greener flights

What will set FLYR apart from its rivals is that it hopes to rely heavily on technology. FLYR hopes to make the whole travel experience a lot simpler less time-consuming and more efficient with the use of its app. The entire booking and boarding process can be in the palm of your hand. This will help keep traditionally expensive overheads (like staff) at a minimum meaning potential lower prices for customers. Pricing hasn’t been set yet but as Norwegian is seen as its main rival, a similar pricing model should be expected.

This app will then help to learn customer habits which helps in its mission to be a sustainable airline. Specifically targeted flights to popular destinations are part of FLYR’s environmental philosophy of smarter and “greener” flying. This business model, it believes, will help FLYR remain “profitable without relying on more passengers flying often.”

Paradoxically, flying less often is what you would expect of a new airline. This is, though, exactly what FLYR would want: an agile, modern, sustainable, and proudly Norwegian airline that is on course to take advantage of an expected post-pandemic travel boom.

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COURTESY norwaytoday

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BAKU, APR 18: Today is International Monuments and Historic Sites Day in Azerbaijan. In this regard, Azerbaijan reiterates its serious concern over the destruction of cultural heritage in the liberated territories by Armenia.

During the occupation of our territories, almost all historical, cultural and religious monuments were completely destroyed. To date, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan has identified the destruction of more than 400 monuments in the liberated areas. The total number of monuments in these areas is up to 3,000.

Cultural and religious property belonging to Azerbaijan was looted, insulted, altered and illegally transported to Armenia. 22 museums and museum branches with more than 100,000 cultural artifacts were destroyed in the liberated areas.

Cultural samples and ancient manuscripts of the 13th century Khudavang Monastery located in the Kalbajar region, as well as valuable cultural samples found during illegal archeological excavations near the Shahbulag fortress in the Aghdam region, were smuggled to Armenia. At the same time, illegal excavations were carried out in the Azykh cave in the village of Azykh, Khojavend region.

All these actions are a gross violation of international humanitarian law, including the regulatory documents of UNESCO, such as the 1954 Hague Convention and its two protocols, as well as the 1970 Convention.

Unfortunately, our appeals to relevant international organizations to investigate war crimes, including the deliberate destruction, misappropriation, alteration and illegal expulsion of our cultural heritage, have not been taken into account during the 30 years of occupation. We welcome the interest currently shown in this regard.

The cultural heritage located in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan reflects the cultural diversity of the Azerbaijani people, which is valued and protected by Azerbaijan, regardless of its origin, secular and religious nature.

Ensuring that an independent mission fully assesses the unprecedented damage done to Azerbaijan's cultural heritage is a priority for the Government of Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijan is working closely with UNESCO in this regard.

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COURTESY mfa.gov.az

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EXCLUSIVE / FARUKH SHEHZAD

Editor-In-Chief

LALAMUSA, APR 18: DIPLOMATICNEWSPK.BLOG has decided to arrange a special program for all Pakistani students who have been completed their education and now they are in search of a good job with handsome salary packages.

DIPLOMATICNEWSPK.BLOG from now shall upload the latest best jobs on its Pakistan’s No.1 Website www.diplomaticnewspk.blogspot.com

While visiting our website click on the LATEST JOBS option listed in the Menu Bar.

We decided to launch this special program to play our part in reducing the poverty level in Pakistan.

So, subscribe to our website and keep visiting to stay in touch to know about the latest jobs and how to apply for them.

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New Join Pakistan Air Force PAF Jobs 2021 as Commissioned Officer. www.joinpaf.gov.pk. All Interested individuals (male/female) all over Pakistan (Rural/Urban) who are looking to Join Pakistan Air Force are invited to Join PAF as Commissioned officers in 127 Combat Support Course (Medical Branch).

PAF Pakistan Air Force is looking to recruit intelligent and hardworking specialists in Medical Branch. Well qualified applicants who are citizens of Pakistan are invited to apply for this 127 Combat Support Course (Medical Branch). Through this course, desired individuals can Join Pak Air Force Medical Branch (Specialist) – SPSSC and Medical Branch GDMOs – SPSSC 2021.

Steps To Join PAF As Medical Officer

·         STEP1 Intelligence Test followed by Academic Test in relevant subjects.

·         STEP2 Initial Medical Examination & Interview.

·         STEP3 Psychological Test of short-listed candidates only.

·         STEP4 Interview by First AHQ Special Selection Board.

·         STEP5 Final Medical Examination.

·         STEP6 Interview by 2nd AHQ Special Selection Board.

·         STEP7 Final Selection by AHQ in order of merit.

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COURTESY smartjobs.pk

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• Over 100 people die on fifth consecutive day

• 100pc beds allocated for Covid-19 patients in use in Swabi

ISLAMABAD, APR 18: While coronavirus-related deaths in the country have surpassed the figure of 16,000, number of active cases has swelled to 79,108 with 4,984 patients admitted to hospitals.

The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) decided on Saturday to start vaccination of people in the 50-59 age group from Wednesday, April 21.

The data shared by the NCOC showed that with over 100 deaths for five continuous days, the number of overall deaths has risen to 16,094.

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman also mentioned this in a tweet. She said it was the fifth straight day when more than 100 deaths were reported and the positivity ratio reached 7.6 per cent.

She pointed out that considering its population, the country had the lowest ratio of vaccination in Asia.

“It seems that Pakistan will take a decade to vaccinate 75pc of its population,” Ms Rehman said.

The data showed that 112 deaths and 4,976 new cases were reported in a single day. There were 520 ventilators in use of Covid-19 patients across the country. Over 80pc ventilators allocated for Covid-19 patients were in use in three cities of Punjab i.e. Gujranwala, Lahore and Multan and 55pc in Khyber Pakhtun­khwa’s city Mardan.

The data showed a dismal situation of oxygenated beds as in Swabi 100pc beds were in use while Charsadda’s 89pdc and Gujranwala’s 85pc beds were in use. Only 22pc of the beds were vacant in Peshawar.

The number of active cases surged to 79,108 as of April 17. However, Pakistan conducted another highest number of tests in a day i.e. 65,279.

So far a total of 750,158 cases have been detected and 654,956 people have defeated the deadly virus.

Vaccination

“Decision taken in today’s NCOC meeting to start vaccination of people in the age group of 50 to 59 from Wednesday the 21st of April. Would once again encourage everyone to register for the vaccination,” federal Minister for Planning and Development tweeted.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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PESHAWAR, APR 18: Two advisors and a special assistant to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan resigned from their posts on Saturday.

According to a notification issued by the provincial government, KP Governor Shah Farman has accepted the resignations of Adviser to the CM on Energy and Power Himayatullah Khan, Adviser to the CM on Information and Technology Ziaullah Bangash and Special Assistant to the CM on Excise and Taxation Ghazan Jamal.

"They have ceased to hold the portfolios of advisers/special assistants to the KP chief minister with immediate effect," the notification stated.

In a handwritten resignation letter addressed to the provincial chief minister, Bangash — a longtime PTI activist — said that he was stepping down from the post due to "some unavoidable situation" and some "other constituency problems".

"I have a lot of responsibilities in the constituency and I want to focus on [them]," he said.

Jamal, on the other hand, said: "Over the past one year, I have endeavoured to reform and improve the department and worked diligently to realise the goals set by your leadership.

"Due to circumstance beyond my control, I am unable to continue as a special assistant. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity and, in my capacity as MPA Orakzai, I will continue to work on behalf of the people of my district," he said.

The spokesperson for the provincial government, Kamran Khan Bangash, did not respond to Dawn.com's request for a comment.

The development comes days after four new ministers were inducted into the provincial cabinet.

Those who took oath included Atif Khan, Fazal Shakoor Khan, Shakeel Ahmed Khan and Faisal Amin Gandapur.

Atif Khan and Shakeel Khan were earlier sacked from the provincial cabinet, while Faisal Amin Gandapur, the brother of federal minister Ali Amin Gandapur, and Fazal Shakoor Khan were included in the cabinet for the first time.

Atif Khan had earlier served as minister for tourism, while Shakeel Khan was minister for revenue.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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• Internship opportunities at a leading Turkish multinational company for Pakistani students

ANKARA, APR 17: On the request of the Embassy, a multinational Turkish company has agreed to offer internship program to Pakistani students studying in Turkish Universities. The company is engaged in production of white goods (kitchen appliances) and has offices across Turkey and in number of countries abroad. The internship program shall provide an opportunity to Pakistani students/graduates to gain experience of Turkish market and industry.

The internships are offered under following three plans:

Plan A: For students who have completed 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of Engineering in the fields of Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Computer and Mechatronics. Interns shall be placed in different cities of Turkey.

Plan B: For students who are in 4th year of school in Business Administration / Economics and Industrial Engineering shall be eligible for internships in Business Development and Supply Chain industry in Turkey.

Plan C: For students who have graduated from Turkish universities or are currently in Pakistan due to Covid-19 restrictions and have completed 3rd and 4th year of Engineering in the fields of Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical and Industrial Engineering shall be eligible for internship program at the company’s production plants in Pakistan.

Accommodation Allowance shall be provided by the company to interns placed in Bolu, Eskişehir, Istanbul and Tekirdag.

Interested applicants may kindly, through an application, send their CVs (specifically stating one the three Plans they apply for) before April 25th, 2021 at internship.pakembank@gmail.com. The resumes shall be forwarded by the Embassy to the management of the company for their final decision/selection.

For any queries, please email us at: parepankara.consular@yahoo.com.

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ISLAMABAD, APR 17: The opposition on Friday lashed out at the government in the National Assembly for signing what it called an “illogical” agreement with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) last year about expulsion of French ambassador from the country and severing of trade relations with France over its government’s stance on publication of blasphemous sketches in a magazine.

The government, however, claimed it had never inked any agreement regarding expulsion of the ambassador. Rather, an understanding had been reached with the TLP that a resolution would be tabled in the assembly regarding removal of the ambassador.

The agreement with the TLP, as reported by the media, read: “The government will take a decision from the Parliament regarding expulsion of the French ambassador within three months, will not appoint its ambassador to France and release all the arrested workers of the TLP. The government will not register any case against the TLP leaders or workers even after it calls off the sit-in.”

“When the government knew that it could not sever bilateral relations with France, then why such an agreement was signed with TLP,” asked Naveed Qamar of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) during a debate in the National Assembly.

• MNAs demand that a committee be set up to deliberate on the objectives of establishing the TLP and those behind the move

He said the government was thinking of moving the Supreme Court for dissolution of TLP, but the parliament was not being taken into confidence over the matter. “Nothing is being conveyed to the parliament,” he said.

BISHKEK, APR 17: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority has informed that effective May 01, 2021, submission of complete requisite information/data through Pass Track App will be mandatory for all passengers inbound to Pakistan.

It will be the prime responsibility of airline operators to ensure that all passengers travelling to Pakistan have submitted complete information through the Pass Track App prior to commencement of travel to Pakistan.

Additionally, the requirement of submission of Health Declaration Form will cease from May 01, 2021, upto coming into effect of the mandatory requirement of submission of information/data through Pass Track App.

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ISLAMABAD/TASHKENT, APR 16: Prime Minister Imran Khan and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev Wednesday held wide-ranging talks and exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues.

In their first virtual summit, the two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations with particular focus on political, trade, security and defence, educational and cultural domains.

Prime minister Imran Khan underlined the importance of enhancing political and diplomatic linkages, fast tracking trade and economic cooperation, ensuring early finalization of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (TTA), increasing security and defence cooperation, and taking steps to deepen mutual collaboration in the fields of education, culture and tourism.

He also underscored the importance of rail, road and air connectivity and highlighted the enormous potential that existed in diverse fields to build an expanded mutually-beneficial partnership.

The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s economic security paradigm and the shifting focus to geo-economics and also stressed that Central Asia was a region of particular focus in this vision, a prime minister office media wing press release said.

During the summit, the level of progress on the Trans-Afghan Railway Line Project, agreed between Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan earlier this year, was reviewed.

The project would be a first step in linking the Central Asian transport network with Pakistani seaports of Gwadar, Karachi and Qasim.

Prime minister Imran Khan said once completed, the initiative would transform the geo-economic dynamics of the entire regime.

The two leaders also discussed important global and regional matters of mutual interest, and reaffirmed the commitment to continue supporting each other at all international and regional fora, including the UN, OIC, SCO and ECO. Prime minister Imran Khan apprised on the latest situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), shared Pakistan’s perspective on issues of peace and security in South Asia, and underlined the imperative of peaceful resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

He also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate the Afghan peace process for lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan. He stressed that this historic opportunity must be seized by the Afghan parties to achieve an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive negotiated political settlement. The prime minister also underscored the importance of countering Islamophobia and promoting inter-faith harmony.

They also reiterated their determination to maintain momentum of high-level exchanges and further enhance the upward trajectory of the relationship.

The two sides highlighted the depth of Pakistan-Uzbekistan relations rooted in common faith, shared history and cultural affinities and also agreed to encourage more people-to-people contacts including through spiritual (ziyarat) tourism.

Following agreements/MoUs were signed on the eve of the virtual summit:

The MoU for developing further cooperation in the field of agriculture, agreement on mutual recognition in the fields of conformity assessment of products, standardization, metrology and technical assistance and MoU on defence cooperation.

President Mirziyoyev reiterated his invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan to attend the high-level international conference on regional connectivity, to be held in Tashkent in July this year.

The prime minister thanked President Mirziyoyev and reiterated his invitation to him to visit Pakistan at the earliest convenience.

The two leaders expressed confidence that the understandings reached during the virtual summit would further deepen bilateral cooperation and contribute towards forging a stronger, multi-dimensional relationship between the two countries. It was agreed to continue the summit-level political dialogue in future. A joint declaration was adopted at the conclusion of the summit.

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COURTESY dailytimes

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ISLAMABAD, APR 16: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority blocked social media sites for four hours in Pakistan Friday morning.

A temporary ban has been imposed on Facebook, Google, Twitter, Telegram, Tiktok, WhatsApp, and YouTube. They will resume working at 3pm.

The decision has been taken to maintain the law and order situation in the country.

The PTA took the step on the instructions of the Ministry of Interior. In a letter, it said that “complete access to social media platforms” should be suspended from 11am to 3pm.

The step comes a day after Pakistan imposed a ban on the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan. PEMRA even blocked all TV channels from providing any coverage to the banned organisation.

The authorities have in the past suspended mobile phone and internet services in the areas where the party protesters had gathered in Islamabad and parts of Punjab. This is the first time a ban has been imposed on all social media sites across the country.

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COURTESY SAMAA.TV

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