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Express Tribune
19 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Air Karachi gets CAA nod, hopes to launch soon
A general view of the Jinnah International Airport Karachi where evacuees from Afghanistan will stop by for further travel to other countries. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article A new private airline based in Karachi has been granted its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), paving the way for the launch of commercial operations in the near future. The airline, named Air Karachi, is headed by leading business figures from Karachi and is modeled on the success of Air Sial — a similar initiative launched by industrialists in Sialkot. Its founders aim to build a business-backed airline offering operational efficiency and financial autonomy, particularly in light of ongoing challenges faced by the national carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). 'Yes, we got the license from CAA,' confirmed Hanif Gohar, one of the airline's key stakeholders, in an interview with Arab News. 'We are looking for aircraft and will start with three aircraft soon.' The CAA granted the RPT license to Air Karachi on June 5. As part of the licensing conditions under Pakistan's National Aviation Policy 2023, the airline has been instructed to deposit a license issuance fee of Rs500,000 ($1,750) and a security deposit of Rs100 million ($350,000). It must also raise its paid-up capital to Rs600 million ($2.1 million) before it can commence operations. Air Karachi is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and plans to raise a total of Rs5 billion ($17.5 million), with 100 shareholders each contributing Rs50 million ($175,000). The airline will be led operationally by retired Air Vice Marshal Imran Qadir, who has been appointed chief operating officer. He will be supported by a team of former Pakistan Air Force officials with experience in the aviation sector. Air Karachi plans to launch its services with three aircraft for domestic routes and gradually expand its fleet to seven. After completing the mandatory one-year domestic run, it aims to begin international operations, starting with flights to destinations in the Middle East.
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
New Karachi-based private airline receives license, plans launch with three aircraft
KARACHI: A new private airline based in Karachi received its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) last week, one of its key stakeholders confirmed on Monday, expressing hope the carrier would begin operations soon. Air Karachi, spearheaded by prominent business leaders from Pakistan's southern port city, is modeled after the success of Air Sial, another airline launched by industrialists in Sialkot. The idea, conceived amid growing challenges faced by the country's national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), is to develop a business-backed airline that can operate with efficiency and financial autonomy. 'Yes, we got the license from CAA,' Hanif Gohar, one of the airline's shareholders, told Arab News. 'We are looking for aircraft and will start with three aircraft soon.' Gohar said Air Karachi was issued the RPT license by the CAA on June 5. According to a copy of the approval letter seen by Arab News, the airline has been directed to deposit a license issuance fee of Rs500,000 ($1,750) and a security deposit of Rs100 million ($350,000). It must also raise its paid-up capital to Rs600 million ($2.1 million) before commencing operations, in line with the National Aviation Policy 2023. Air Karachi has been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and plans to raise Rs5 billion ($17.5 million) by pooling Rs50 million ($175,000) from each of its 100 shareholders. Last year, Gohar told Arab News the response from Karachi's business community was so overwhelming that some families proposed contributing as multiple shareholders. He informed that aviation veteran Air Vice Marshal (r) Imran Qadir had been appointed chief operating officer of the airline, supported by a team of retired Pakistan Air Force officials. Once operational, Air Karachi will begin domestic flights with three aircraft and later expand its fleet to seven before launching international flights to the Middle East after the mandatory one-year domestic run.
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Business leaders greet COAS for giving India befitting reply
KARACHI: Patron-in-Chief of the United Business Group (UBG), S M Tanveer, extended congratulations to COAS General Syed Asim Munir and the Pakistan Army for giving a bold and powerful response to Indian aggression under Operation Buny?n Murs?s. He stated that the cowardly actions of India, which targeted innocent civilians under the guise of counter-terrorism, were met with dignity and full force by our armed forces. S M Tanveer added that the Pakistan Army exercised its right to defend the country, and through an effective counteroffensive, demonstrated professional excellence and a firm commitment to national security. By delivering a resounding blow to the enemy, the army has taught a lesson that future Indian generations will not forget. He further said that General Asim Munir has emerged as a national hero, and the nation acknowledges his courage, bravery, and leadership qualities. President of United Business Group Zubair Tufail and former Senior Vice President of FPCCI Hanif Gohar paid tribute to Pakistan's land, naval, and air forces, expressing strong solidarity with the brave soldiers who are standing firm on all fronts to defend the homeland. 'Our armed forces are our pride, and in such critical times, we stand united with them,' they said. Hanif Gohar also remarked that India has not only faced defeat on the battlefield but also on the economic front, as the IMF Board has approved a $2.4 billion loan tranche for Pakistan, thwarting all Indian efforts to block the deal. Malik Khuda Bakhsh, Convener of FPCCI's Energy Standing Committee, stated that Indian forces violated international laws by crossing the border and targeting dozens of innocent civilians, resulting in casualties. The Pakistan Army foiled the enemy's malicious intentions by launching a timely operation and shooting down Indian aircraft. He emphasized that the entire Pakistani nation is fully united and stands shoulder to shoulder with the army, ready to make any sacrifice for the country's defense. He further said that India's attempts to sabotage the IMF program have also failed, and now this program will help stabilize Pakistan's economy and put it on the path to long-term recovery. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
