Air Karachi cleared for take-off in Pakistan’s aviation market
New private airline to start with three leased aircraft, Rs5bn seed capital
DUBAI: Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has officially issued a Regular Public Transport (RPT) licence to Air Karachi, marking the formal entry of the new private airline into the country’s commercial aviation sector.
The Karachi-based airline, backed by a group of high-profile business leaders and led by retired Air Vice Marshal Syed Imran Majid Ali, aims to launch domestic operations in the coming months.
With an initial investment of Rs5 billion, Air Karachi’s business model draws inspiration from the success of AirSial, another private carrier launched by the business community in Sialkot. The move is being hailed as a step towards revitalising Pakistan’s air travel landscape, with the airline planning to lease three aircraft for its initial fleet and later expand to international routes.
Who’s behind Air Karachi?
Air Karachi is being financed by leading figures from Karachi’s business world, including Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD Group), Arif Habib (Arif Habib Limited), Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, Hanif Gohar, and Hamza Tabani. Each shareholder is contributing Rs50 million, with plans to raise further funds in later phases.
CEO Syed Imran, a former Southern Commander of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), brings aviation leadership to the enterprise. Atif Ikram Sheikh, president of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), is also closely associated with the initiative. The FPCCI views the airline as a symbol of economic self-reliance and is advocating similar ventures in other sectors.
Why now?
Air Karachi’s entry coincides with a notable increase in applications from new private airlines. In the past year alone, Jet Green, Q Airways, Go Green Air, and others have approached the PCAA seeking licences.
This uptick follows the government’s unsuccessful attempt to privatise Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in late 2024, when a single bidder offered Rs10 billion ($36 million) for a 60% stake – far below the reserve price of Rs85 billion ($306 million). The shortfall led to renewed discussions about alternative models for aviation growth, particularly those driven by local investment.
What’s next?
Air Karachi is currently preparing for launch, having fulfilled all SECP registration and regulatory requirements. Its leadership has promised full compliance with national and international aviation standards and vows to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient service.
The airline plans to operate on domestic routes first, focusing on underserved cities and business travel corridors. International destinations will follow after the initial phase, pending aircraft acquisition and route approvals.
With Karachi being the economic engine of the country, stakeholders argue the city deserves an airline of its own to meet its growing travel and logistics needs. According to investors, Air Karachi will focus on affordability, punctuality, and service quality – factors they believe are essential for reviving Pakistan’s aviation ecosystem.