Fazle Ghani, the Pakistani pilot who commanded Emirates' first-ever flight
As Emirates Airline (EK) marks its 40th anniversary, the carrier reflects on
its remarkable journey from two leased aircraft to a global aviation leader —
and on the pivotal role played by a Pakistani pilot in that story.
On October 25, 1985, Captain Fazle
Ghani, a seasoned pilot from Pakistan
International Airlines (PIA), commanded Emirates’ first-ever flight
— EK600 from Dubai to Karachi
— a historic milestone that laid the foundation for one of the world’s most
successful airlines.
A partnership that took
flight
Before that inaugural journey, the UAE
government sought Pakistan’s support to establish its new national
carrier. PIA extended vital technical assistance, leasing an Airbus A300B4-200 and a Boeing 737-300, and sending a team
of experienced pilots and engineers to Dubai.
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Among them was Captain Ghani, who was appointed Project Director and Chief Pilot for Emirates’ launch operations. Arriving in Dubai on October 1, 1985, he worked closely with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Maurice Flanagan, the airline’s first Managing Director, to ready the fledgling carrier for takeoff.
Despite limited resources, the small multinational team showed remarkable
determination. Captain Ghani would later recall with a smile how some crew
members wore oversized uniforms — symbolic of their humble beginnings but
unwavering commitment to excellence and safety.
Karachi: The first
destination
Choosing Karachi (KHI)
as the first destination carried both practical and symbolic significance. The
short Dubai–Karachi route underscored Pakistan’s instrumental support in
Emirates’ creation and the enduring ties between the two nations.
Flight EK600,
piloted by Captain Ghani, departed from Dubai and safely landed in Karachi —
marking Emirates’ entry into global aviation. That same day, Captain Ejaz ul Haq commanded the second
flight to Mumbai (BOM),
completing the airline’s first operational day.
PIA’s then-chief, Air Marshal
Arshad Malik, would later describe Captain Ghani as the “lead
founder pilot of Emirates,” praising his professionalism and leadership in
setting the airline’s operational standards.
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A legacy remembered
Decades later, in 2018, Emirates invited Captain Ghani as a guest of honor to celebrate the
airline’s first Airbus A380
flight to Pakistan, which landed in Islamabad (ISB). Standing beside the
world’s largest passenger aircraft, the veteran pilot expressed pride in seeing
how Emirates had grown from two leased planes to a global powerhouse.
Captain Fazle Ghani passed away in Swabi,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, after a long illness, but his legacy
endures — not only in Emirates’ continued success but also in the generations
of aviators he helped inspire.
From humble beginnings to global
reach
Today, Emirates operates a network
spanning more than 140 destinations across six continents,
symbolizing the UAE’s vision and global connectivity.
In a statement commemorating its 40th anniversary, Emirates paid tribute to
the pioneers behind its first flight:
“The passion, skill, and determination of early aviators like Captain Fazle
Ghani remain at the heart of our story. Their legacy lives on in every flight
we operate today.”
From its modest origins to becoming one of the world’s most recognized
airlines, Emirates’ journey stands as a testament to collaboration, ambition,
and the shared history between Pakistan
and the UAE — a story that truly began in the cockpit of Flight EK600.
Source: Aviation A2Z