New airline gets CAA’s nod

KARACHI: A new private airline based in Karachi, Air Karachi, has received its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), moving closer to starting commercial flight operations.

Backed by prominent Karachi-based businessmen, the airline follows a model similar to Air Sial, which was successfully launched by Sialkot’s business community.

The founders hope to run a financially independent and efficient airline, especially as Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) continues to face challenges.

“Yes, we got the license from CAA,” said Hanif Gohar, one of the main stakeholders, while talking to Arab News. “We are now looking for aircraft and plan to start with three.”

Fire breaks out in forest adjacent to Buddhist site in Julian

The CAA issued the RPT license on June 5. According to Pakistan’s National Aviation Policy 2023, the airline must pay a Rs500,000 license fee and submit a Rs100 million security deposit. It also needs to raise Rs600 million in paid-up capital before launching services.

Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Air Karachi plans to gather Rs5 billion in total investment. Around 100 shareholders are expected to contribute Rs50 million each.

Operational control of the airline will be under retired Air Vice Marshal Imran Qadir, who has been appointed as chief operating officer. He will be supported by a team of former Pakistan Air Force officers.

The airline will begin domestic operations with three aircraft and later expand the fleet to seven. After a year of domestic flying — as required by aviation policy — Air Karachi hopes to launch international flights, starting with routes to the Middle East.