KARACHI: The business community of Karachi has announced the launch of a new airline, ‘Air Karachi,’.

According to reports, businessman Hanif Gohar revealed that the airline has been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), and a request for a licence has been submitted to the federal government. In the initial phase, Air Karachi plans to lease three aircraft. Retired Air Vice Marshal Imran, formerly of the Southern Command, has been appointed as the airline’s CEO. Hanif Gohar further stated that the project is being initiated with an investment of Rs 5 billion, with each shareholder contributing Rs 50 million. It is pertinent to note that several new airlines were considering to launch operations in various cities in Pakistan back in September 2024, as per CAA. New local airlines including Jet Green, Q Airways, and Go Green Air had approached the CAA for licences and permits, according to sources. Air Indus has also contacted the Civil Aviation Authority to resume flight operations, sources revealed. Q Aviation and Liberty Air, have also applied for licences from the CAA to launch flight operations in Pakistan. The CAA officials said the large number of licence applications is significant for the country’s economy.

The influx of new airlines will provide passengers with better travel options, along with increased foreign exchange in the aviation sector and new job opportunities. It is to be noted that three private companies namely, Airblue, SereneAir and AirSial are already operating in Pakistan.