Air Karachi secures CAA nod, hopes to launch soon
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- June 12, 2025
- 10:17 am
- 36
- Current Affairs
The much-awaited Air Karachi launch is finally moving forward. Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a Regular Public Transport (RPT) license to the new airline. With this approval in hand, Air Karachi is preparing to begin domestic operations in the coming weeks, starting with a fleet of three aircraft.
The airline is backed by some of Karachi’s most prominent business figures. Modeled after the success of Air Sial, Air Karachi aims to build a financially strong and operationally efficient airline. Its founders want to offer a private alternative to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which continues to face ongoing challenges.
Hanif Gohar, one of the airline’s leading investors, confirmed the development. “Yes, we got the license from CAA,” he said. The airline is now working to acquire aircraft and meet all remaining requirements before launch. The initial plan is to operate with three aircraft and expand to seven within the first year.
As part of the regulatory process under the National Aviation Policy 2023, Air Karachi has submitted a license fee of Rs500,000 and a security deposit of Rs100 million. The airline must also raise its paid-up capital to Rs600 million before flight operations begin.
Air Karachi plans to raise a total of Rs5 billion. The investment will come from 100 shareholders, each contributing Rs50 million. The airline is already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The operational team includes several former Pakistan Air Force officers. Retired Air Vice Marshal Imran Qadir has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer. He will lead day-to-day operations with support from a seasoned aviation team.
Air Karachi has also signed a maintenance agreement with PIA. Under this deal, the national carrier will provide MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) services. The agreement was signed by PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, Air Karachi Chairman Hanif Gohar, and Air Marshal (Retd.) Imran Majid.
The Air Karachi launch was first announced in November 2024 during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club. Gohar was joined by S.M. Tanveer, Chairman of the United Business Group, to share plans for the new venture.
The airline’s investors include Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD Group), Arif Habib (Arif Habib Limited), Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, and Hamza Tabani. Each has committed significant capital to the project.
In the next two months, Air Karachi will finalize its flight routes, complete regulatory filings, and ensure full compliance. While the initial focus is on domestic operations, the airline plans to launch international flights to the Middle East after its first year of service. The Air Karachi launch marks a new chapter in Pakistan’s growing aviation sector and is expected to offer travelers more choices and competitive fares.
