KARACHI: A new private airline, Air Karachi, has applied for a Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to begin operations in various cities across the country.
The issuance of the RPT license will require federal government approval. Once granted, Air Karachi will commence its flight operations. The airline has already been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The initiative was announced by Karachi’s business community, with businessman Hanif Gohar revealing that Air Karachi will launch with an initial investment of Rs 5 billion, contributed by shareholders at Rs 50 million each.
Retired Air Vice Marshal Imran, a former Southern Commander, has been appointed as the CEO of Air Karachi. In its initial phase, the airline plans to lease three aircraft.
Prominent shareholders of Air Karachi include leading business figures such as Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, Arif Habib, SM Tanveer, Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, and Hamza Tabani.
Earlier, in September of last year, at least three other airlines—Jet Green, Q Airways, and Go Green Air—applied for licenses and permits from the PCAA, as per sources.
Additionally, Air Indus had submitted a request to resume operations, while Q Aviation and Liberty Air also sought approval for launching flight services in Pakistan.
PCAA officials noted that the influx of license applications reflects positively on the country’s economic outlook, signaling growth in the aviation sector.
