Air Karachi looks to start flights after receiving license
A new private airline based in
Karachi is preparing to launch operations soon, having received its Regular
Public Transport (RPT) license from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA),
a key milestone confirmed by one of its stakeholders on Monday.
The airline, named Air Karachi, is
backed by prominent business leaders from the city and modeled after the
success of Air Sial, which was launched by industrialists in Sialkot. This
initiative arrives at a time when Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
continues to face operational and financial difficulties. Air Karachi aims to
fill that gap by offering a financially stable and professionally managed
alternative.
Read More Pakistan
Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) grants license to ‘Air Karachi’
“We’ve received the RPT license from
the CAA,” confirmed shareholder Hanif Gohar. “We are now in the process of
acquiring aircraft and plan to start operations with a fleet of three planes.”
The license was officially issued on
June 5, Gohar added.
According to the CAA’s approval
letter, the airline must pay a license issuance fee of Rs500,000 ($1,750) and
provide a security deposit of Rs100 million ($350,000). It is also required to
raise its paid-up capital to Rs600 million ($2.1 million) in compliance with
the National Aviation Policy 2023.
Air Karachi is registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and plans to raise a total of Rs5 billion
($17.5 million) through contributions of Rs50 million ($175,000) from each of
its 100 shareholders. Gohar stated that the response from Karachi’s business
community has been enthusiastic, with some families expressing interest in
multiple investments.
Read More “Air
Karachi” registered as Pakistan's new airline
Leading the airline’s operations is Air
Vice Marshal (Retd.) Imran Qadir, who has been appointed Chief Operating
Officer. He is supported by a team of experienced former officers from the
Pakistan Air Force.
Air Karachi will initially launch domestic
operations with three aircraft, and plans to expand its fleet to seven. After
completing the regulatory requirement of operating domestically for one year,
the airline intends to start international flights, with a primary focus on Middle
Eastern destinations.
Source:
24 News