Dubai: A new private airline, Air Karachi, is preparing to commence domestic flight services in Pakistan.
Based in the nation’s economic hub, Air Karachi has officially secured its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from the Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it to begin operations within the country, with plans for international flights in the future.
Fleet Details
Under the leadership of retired Air Vice Marshal Syed Imran Majid Ali, the airline will launch with three leased aircraft and an initial investment of Rs5 billion. The initiative, inspired by the success of AirSial, aims to improve domestic connectivity in Pakistan and set the stage for future international routes.
Prominent Business Investors
Air Karachi is backed by a group of prominent business figures from Karachi. Its founding investors include Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD Group), Arif Habib (Arif Habib Limited), Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, Hanif Gohar, and Hamza Tabani. Each has invested Rs50 million as seed funding, with additional investment rounds anticipated, according to Travelsdubai.com.
The CEO, Syed Imran, who formerly served as Southern Commander of the Pakistan Air Force, brings extensive leadership and discipline to the role. The initiative has been endorsed by the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), with its president Atif Ikram Sheikh highlighting the airline as a symbol of self-sufficiency and national advancement.
Strategic Launch
The debut of Air Karachi comes at a time of increasing private sector interest in Pakistan’s aviation industry. Other new airlines such as Jet Green, Q Airways, and Go Green Air have also applied for regulatory approvals.
Air Karachi has completed all required SECP registrations and fulfilled other regulatory obligations. The airline’s launch will prioritize domestic routes, especially to underserved cities and business travel hubs. In its second phase, and depending on regulatory clearances and fleet expansion, international operations will be introduced.
With a focus on affordability, reliability, and customer-centered service, Air Karachi aims to represent the aspirations of Karachi — a city central to Pakistan’s economy — by establishing a flagship carrier that mirrors its dynamic spirit.