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Ardistani Airways (stylised as ardistaniAirways) is the flag carrier airline of the Republic of Ardistan and its largest airline. The airline is based in the Nejat Efer Building near its main hub at Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez International Airport.

Ardistani Airways was formed on the 12 February 2003 through the merger of Ardistan Airlines, the previous flag carrier, and KaraJet, after the latter was nationalised following its bankrupcy in 2002. As a result, the Ardistani Airways Group is now the largest in the world by fleet size, and the second-largest by revenue. AAG is listed on the Fahedajellal Stock Exchange and is a member of the FATSE 50.

Ardistani Airways is a member of the Oneworld airline alliance, along with its fellow Ardistani rivals ArdiAir, Burhanullah Affalahi Airlines and Bismillahilarahmanirahim Airlines. The alliance is the third-largest, after SkyTeam and Star Alliance.

History
Ardistani Airways was formed on the 12 February 2003 through the merger of Ardistan Airlines, the previous flag carrier, and KaraJet, after the latter was nationalised following its bankrupcy in 2002. A board was initially established by the Ardistani government following the passing of the Aviation and Genocide Act 2002, to manage the new airline.

In January 2004, the government passed control of the airline to the Ardistani Airways Group.

A new subsidary, Ardistani Airways World Cargo was set-up in 2005 to manage the cargo operations of the Ardistani Airways Group. AAWC operates its own fleet of Boeing 777F aircraft, whilst also selling hold space in the passenger fleet for cargo transportation. On 1 March 2005, Ardistani Airways joined the Oneworld airline alliance, whose members include American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines.

Operations
Ardistani Airways is the largest airline based in the Republic of Ardistan in terms of fleet size, international flights, international destinations and passenger numbers. The airline carried 88.6 million passengers in 2013; AirArdi (the second largest airline) carried 54.4 million in comparison. Ardistani Airways holds a Republic of Ardistan Aviation Authority Category A Operating Licence, permitting it to carry passengers, cargo, and mail on aircraft with 25 or more seats.

The airlines' head office, the Nejat Efer Building, stands near its main hub at Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez International Airport. Nejat Efer was completed in June 1998 to replace Ardistan Airlines' previous head office, Azerjullah House, which was located near Bahri International Airport.

Ardistani Airways' main base is at Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez International Airport, but it also has bases at Bahri International Airport and Faskynakmoh-Gazmak International Airport. Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez International Airport is dominated by Ardistani Airways, which owns 60% of the slots available at the airport. All of AR's short-haul services operate from Terminal 5, whilst the international services operate from Terminal 6. The two terminals are linked by a personal rapid transit system, based on the ULTra design, which is also used at London Heathrow Terminal 5.

All ground-handling for the airline is carried out by a subsidary of the Ardistani Airways Group, Ardistani Ground Handling, except at select international airports, where local companies are used. Ardistani Ground Handling also handles for most airlines at Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez International Airport, including American Airlines, ArdiAir, British Airways, Emirates, IsraeliAir and Qantas.

Business Model
Many established legacy carriers in Europe and the United States view Ardistani Airways' strategic decision to reposition itself as a global carrier as a major threat because it enables air travellers to by-pass traditional airline hubs such as London-Heathrow, Paris-CDG, and Frankfurt on their way between Europe/North America and Asia/Australia by changing flights in Ardistan instead. These carriers also find it difficult to deal with the growing competitive threat Ardistani Airways poses to their business because of their much higher cost base.

Many carriers have accused Ardistani Airways of receiving hidden state subsidies and of maintaining too cozy a relationship with Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez International Airport's owners. Ardistani Airways has refuted all of these claims, and asserts that it is run independently of government control, and that it is subject to the same costs as any other carrier at Kara El Somalia Bin Hafez.

In June 2008, airline executives once again refuted claims that the carrier does not pay taxes and receives substantial financial assistance from the Ardistani government. Tax reports from the years 2004-2007 were made publically available, although analysis by experts has show the data to be inconsistent with records leaked by insiders within Ardistani Airways' accounting department.

Ardistani Airways also faces competition from other Republic of Ardistan-based airlines such as ArdiAir, IsraeliAir and Saalam.

Destinations
Ardistani Airways serves over 280 destinations, including 35 domestic. It is one of the few airlines to fly to all six permanently inhabited continents, along with British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways and United Airlines.

Partnerships and codeshare agreements
Ardistani Airways has codeshare agreements and/or partnerships with the following airlines:

Fleet
When the airline was formed, it inherited a mixture of 290 Airbus A320 family and Boeing 777 aircraft, as well as KaraJet's order for 20 Boeing 737-700ER.

In September 2003, the Ardistani Airways announced an order for 120 Airbus A319, 180 A320, 80 A321 and 45 A380 aircraft to replace the ageing existing fleet and expand the airline. Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines were selected for the A380, whist CFM56 engines were chosen for the A320 family aircraft.

This was followed in October 2003 by an order for 220 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to replace its Boeing 777-200ER airframes, and to expand its long-haul operations.

January 2004 saw the order of 40 Airbus A318 aircraft in order for the airline to commence all-business class flights from Ardistan to the UK, US and Middle East. Two of these aircraft were later sold to private customers (in 2006 and 2009 respectively).

The first of the new A320 family aircraft entered service in June 2004. An order for 45 further Airbus A380 aircraft was placed the next month.

Ardistani Airways placed the Airbus A380 into service on the 10 May 2010, with a seating configuration totalling 469 seats. AR's arrangement is unusual in that premium seating is spread over both decks of the aircraft. It was the second airline (after Emirates) to install shower-equipped lavatories.

In March 2012, another 10 Boeing 737-700ER aircraft were ordered to complement the existing 20 aircraft.

At the Farnborough Airshow in 2013, Ardistani Airways announced an order for a further 140 Boeing 777-300ER airplanes, as well as a further Airbus 30 A319, 30 A320, 70 A321 and 30 A380 aircraft. Following the sucessful first flight of the Airbus A350 in 2013, an order for 90 of the -1000 variant with Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines was placed, for fleet expansion.

In February 2014, the airline announced it was considering purchasing either new-generation Boeing 777X or extra Airbus A350 for further fleet expansion and replacement, with a view to announce its decision by June 2014.

All of the fleet now offers onboard wifi, and is fitted with in-flight entertainment.

Average fleet age stood at 4.3 years as of March 2014.

The Ardistani Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft as of May 2014:


 * Ardistani Airways World Cargo Fleet

The Ardistani Airways World Cargo fleet consists of the following aircraft as of May 2014:

Ardistani Airways Engineering
The company has its own engineering branch to maintain its aircraft fleet; this includes line maintenance at over 70 airports around the world. As well as facilities at Bin Hafez International Airport it has two major maintenance centres at both Bahri and Faskynakmoh-Gazmak International Airports. The company owns 5 BAe-146 aircraft to ferry parts around the network.

Loyalty programmes
Ardistani Airways' tiered loyalty programme, called the Globetrotter Club, includes access to special lounges, dedicated queues and security lanes. The airline operates airside lounges for passengers travelling in premium cabins, and these are available to certain tiers of Globetrotter Club members.

There are three primary tiers- Assad; Gaddafi which requires 25,000 tier miles for entry; and Kim-Jong, which requires 50,000 tier miles for entry. The Kara tier requires 150,000 tier miles for entry.

Cabins

 * Short-haul
 * Explorer is Ardistani Airways' economy class offering on flights less than 3 hours in duration. Passengers on all flights receive complimentary non-alcoholic beverages, and passengers on flights longer than 2.5 hours receive a meal service. Light snacks are offered on shorter flights. Alcoholic drinks may be purchased on board, as can newspapers and magazines. Wifi is available at a cost (ARD$2.50 per hour as of April 2014).


 * Voyager is the business class offering on all short-haul flights, including those within Ardistan. This class allows for access to business lounges at most airports. Voyager provides seats in a 2–2 configuration on narrowbody aircraft, with the middle seat not used. On widebody aircraft, which are used on certain busy short-haul routes, the standard Worldvoyager cabin is used (see below). Similarly to Explorer, a meal service is provided on flights longer than 2.5 hours, whilst light snacks are offered on shorter flights. Customers receive complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.


 * First is the first class offering on select short-haul flights operated by widebody aircraft. The product offered is identical to the long-haul First (see below), and the food and beverage offering is identical to Voyager.

In-flight entertainment is offered on all aircraft, as is on-board wifi (free for Voyager and First passengers).


 * Long-haul
 * Worldexplorer is the long-haul economy class offered on international flights longer than 3 hours. It offers seat-back entertainment and several complimentary drinks and meals. AVOD is offered on all aircraft, as is in-seat power. Wifi is available at a cost (ARD$2.50 per hour as of April 2014).


 * Worldexplorer Plus is the premium economy offering provided on all long-haul aircraft except the Airbus A318, and has wider seats, greater pitch, and free wifi.


 * Worldvoyager is the long-haul business class on Airbus A318, A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The cabin features fully flat beds, a 15 in wide entertainment screen, in-seat power, free wifi and access to a bar area and lounge.


 * First is the long-haul first class service on Ardistani Airways, offered on Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. There are fourteen private suites per aircraft, each with a 6 ft bed, a 20 in wide entertainment screen, in-seat power, free wifi and access to an on-board bar area and lounge. A380 aircraft also have two shower-equipped lavatories.

Free on-board wifi is offered on all aircraft for Worldexplorer Plus, Worldvoyager and First passengers. Worldexplorer passengers can access the service for ARD$2.50 per hour (as of April 2014).

Check-in
Passengers may check-in between two to 48 hours prior to flight departure. This may be done over the counter or online. Self-service kiosks are also available at many airports. Dedicated check-in desks are provided for premium class passengers.

Dedicated security lanes
At all airports within Ardistan, Ardistani Airways operates dedicated security lanes for passengers travelling in either First or Voyager/Worldvoyager cabins.

Lounges
Ardistani Airways operates 56 premium class lounges in 48 airports worldwide. First class passengers, as well as Kim-Jong Globetrotter Club members, are entitled to use First Class Lounges. Business class passengers as well as Gaddafi Globetrotter Club members may use Business lounges. At airports where the airline does not operate a departure lounge, a third party lounge is usually provided for premium or status passengers.

Chauffeur-drive
Complimentary chauffeur-driven airport transfer transportation is available to first and business class passengers at some airports.