In a milestone for Pakistan’s aviation sector, Air Karachi, the city’s newest private airline, has officially announced its inaugural flight date: March 23, 2026. The revelation came during the launch ceremony of the airline’s operations office at Karachi’s historic Old Airport, attended by top dignitaries including PIA CEO Amir Hayat, Civil Aviation Director General Nadir Shafiq, and Defence Secretary Lt Gen (Retd) Muhammad Ali.
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Backed by a consortium of 42 prominent Karachi-based businessmen, Air Karachi represents a bold revival of the city’s aviation legacy. Chairman Hanif Gohar highlighted the collective vision: “We pledged to launch an airline under Karachi’s name, and today we’ve fulfilled that promise.” Gohar, who first applied for a license in 2009 (with efforts dating back to 2006), emphasized the Rs 5 billion initial investment, with each shareholder contributing Rs 50 million.
The airline, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and holding a Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) since June 2025, plans to start with three leased aircraft under CEO Air Vice Marshal (Retd) Syed Imran Majid Ali. Key shareholders include Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD Group), Arif Habib, SM Tanveer, Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, and Hamza Tabani.
Government Backing and Strategic Partnerships:
Defence Secretary Muhammad Ali lauded the initiative: “Karachi’s businessmen have once again brought pride to the country.” He assured full governmental support for new entrants and noted Air Karachi’s collaboration with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) for engineering and efficiency gains, aiming to bolster the sector amid ongoing PIA privatization efforts.
The airline will initially focus on domestic routes, targeting underserved cities and business corridors, with plans for international expansion to the Middle East after a one-year domestic phase. This launch aligns with a surge in private airlines, including AirSial and SereneAir, promising more affordable and competitive travel options.
Air Karachi’s entry underscores Pakistan’s push for economic revival through private investment, with Gohar crediting Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir for fostering a supportive environment.
For updates on bookings and routes, visit Air Karachi’s official channels once operations commence.
