Airlines of Pakistan
The Pakistani aviation market has seen many airlines come and go. However, due largely to the economic sanctions placed on Pakistan during the 1990s the industry growth eventually leveled off due to the increase in oil prices.
The Pakistan aviation industry was started up when Orient Airways merged with Pakistan International Airlines Corporation (PIAC) to become the national flag carrier of Pakistan called Pakistan International Airlines or PIA for short. PIA remained the only operator for many years after its creation, but soon private airlines arrived at the scene to compete with the national flag carrier.
Aero Asia International is a private Pakistani airline based at Jinnah International Airport Karachi in the province of Sindh. The airline was owned and operated by the Tabani Group, however, following the temporary suspension of its flights in the summer of 2006 the ownership of the airline was bought by the UK based Regal Group. It is the first low cost airline to start services in Pakistan and operates to destinations in Pakistan and the Gulf states. Its main bases are the Jinnah International Airport, Karachi and Dubai International Airport, Dubai.
International Flights
Aero Asia has already covered the Middle East and has been granted permission to fly to the United Kingdom and United States from the end of the year 2005 by the CAA of Pakistan. However, because of the airline's restructuring process, it is expected that the international flights will commence by 2007. It will fly to Manchester and Nottingham in the initial phase whilst gradually including New York, Singapore, Copenhagen, Oslo and Bahrain to its international destinations.
Specific Flights- Abu Dhabi to Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar
- Doha to Lahore and Peshawar
- Dubai to Faisalabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Multan, and Peshawar
- Faisalabad to Dubai, Multan and Karachi
- Islamabad to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Karachi
- Karachi to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Muscat, Sukkur, and Peshawar
- Lahore to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, Karachi, and Muscat
- Multan to Dubai, Faisalabad and Karachi
- Muscat to Karachi and Lahore
- Peshawar to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Dubai, and Karachi
Airblue is a private Pakistani airline based at Jinnah International Airport Karachi. It was the first private carrier of Pakistan to operate the Airbus A320 when it initially started. Airblue has been expanding rapidly despite experiencing competition from the other three airline operators in Pakistan. The airline mainly flies on domestic routes plus internationally to Dubai International Airport and also has plans to fly to the UK and USA.- PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES
Pakistan International Airlines (also referred to as PIA), is the national flag carrier of Pakistan and the national airline operating passenger and cargo services around the world. Its main hubs are Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore and the Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad/Rawalpindi.
It also serves regional airports, including Peshawar International Airport, Peshawar, Faisalabad International Airport, Faisalabad and Multan International Airport, Multan that connect to the main hubs and have flights to the Middle East.- SHAHEEN AIR INTERNATIONAL
Shaheen Air International second national airline after PIA; Shaheen Air International (SAI) is a Pakistani private airline based in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. It mainly operates scheduled services between the main cities of Pakistan and to the Gulf. Its main base is Jinnah International Airport (KHI), Karachi, with a hub at Islamabad International Airport (ISB), Islamabad.
- PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL CARGO
PIA Cargo freighter operations ended in late 1990s when both 707-300C aircraft were grounded, but two A300 freighters leased from Turkey's MNG Airlines fly for PIA Cargo to London Luton Airport.Royal Airlines is a charter and cargo airline based at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
The airline was established on 6 November 1998 and started operations in 1999. It was granted a license to operate scheduled passenger services in 2003 and expected to launch these in 2005. It has 90 employees. Royal Airlines was the first international cargo airline in Pakistan. Royal Airlines is launching its domestic passenger service on a Karachi - Gwadar route from May 17, 2006. The airline is starting the service by operating on socio-economic routes such as Gwadar, Pasni and other small cities. Royal airline would operate 19-passenger Metro III aircraft for the cities. The airline has already acquired two aircraft and both of them are registered in Pakistan.
Royal Airlines operates charter cargo flights daily to and from Karachi, Sukkur, Multan, Lahore and Islamabad.Star Air is a cargo airline based in Karachi, Pakistan. It operates to many cities in Pakistan including Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.
Star Air Aviation is a family owned Airline. It was founded by a family having aviation experience of more than 40 years.TCS is a Pakistan based courier service. The company was started in 1983 and now it serves five continents and has over 2,000 locations in Pakistan. The company also has an airline for cargo purposes only which it uses at many of the airports in Pakistan.
Askari Aviation is based in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan. Askari Aviation was established in 1995, to maintain, operate and market aircraft / helicopter compatible to international standards. Askari Aviation also offers to co-ordinate and generates necessary financial resources or enters into joint venture satisfying specific requirements of its client. The flying and maintenance crew is based on highly qualified, experienced professionals from the Armed Forces of Pakistan. This offers highest quality of service and safety standards, ensuring commitment to professional excellence.
Askari Aviation is today engaged in providing quality aviation services of helicopter for adventure, safaris, rescue, crop dusting, cargo transportation and policing. In addition to its integral fleet of helicopters and aircraft ultra lights we also enjoy the backing of Pakistan Army Aviation, having over 30 years of operational experience in the area with routine landings at and above 20,000 ft. Askari Aviation have also started flying international charter both passengers and cargo, particularly to Afghanistan.- Jahangir Siddiqui Charter
Jahangir Siddiqui Charter (JS Charter) is charter operation of JS Air is based Karachi, Sindh, PakistanJahangir Siddiqui Air (JS Air) is a recently-launched charter aircraft company by the Jahangir Siddiqui Group that operates in diversified fields. JS Air is based Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
JS Air and Airblue’s collaborated first flight would take off on June 17. Destination: Gwadar. At a press briefing held jointly by JS Air and Airblue on Thursday, Air Commodore (retd) Munawar Alam Siddiqui, Chairman of JS Air, said the event would mark a milestone in the history of aviation in Pakistan, since it was the first-ever joint venture between any two airline operators in Pakistan.
JS Air, a JS Group company is providing executive charter services to the leading businesses.
Built over four decades, JS Group is one of Pakistan’s most diversified and progressive financial services groups.
The group has grown from its roots in Pakistan’s financial services industry. JS Financial operates market-leading companies in asset management, investment banking, securities brokerage, commercial banking, insurance and trade finance. Also includes five vertical businesses:
The group has offices throughout the major cities in Pakistan and manages its international operations from its London office. The group comprises businesses with over 10,000 employees and revenues of over US$700 million.
At JS, we continually challenge ourselves to dynamically grow our businesses, both internally and through world-class partnerships, while setting ever higher standards of excellence and governance.Royal Airlines is a charter and cargo airline based at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
The airline was established on 6 November 1998 and and started operations in 1999. It was granted a licence to operate scheduled passenger services in 2003 and expected to launch these in 2005. It has 90 employees. Royal Airlines was the first international cargo airline in Pakistan. Royal Airlines is launching its domestic passenger service on a Karachi - Gwadar route from May 17, 2006. The airline is starting the service by operating on socio-economic routes such as Gwadar, Pasni and other small cities. Royal airline would operate 19-passenger Metro III aircraft for the cities. The airline has already acquired two aircraft and both of them are registered in Pakistan.
Royal Airlines operates charter cargo flights daily to and from Karachi, Sukkur, Multan, Lahore and Islamabad. Schön Air is located at Jinnah International Airport Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. All of Schön Air's offices and training facilities located at the airport and it is one of the largest flight training centers & charter companies in Pakistan. Schön Air has its own hangar where facilities like engine and propeller overhaul shops, paint shop and metal repair shop are available.
Schön Air Limited was established in 1986 with a strong backing of Schon Group businessmens' Nasir Schon & H.E. Tahir Schon, along with their father Chairman Capt. S. H. Ather, who himself was an airline pilot of very high standards with an experience of over 20,000 flying hours. He held an FAA and CAA Airline Transport Pilots Licenses.
In 1986 the Company started its aircraft service with a Cessna 402C and with round the clock hard work of its staff the number of aircraft has risen up to nine.
Now Schön Air is a well-reputed Company serving its clients like Sui Southern Gas Company, Union Texas Pakistan and Pakistan Petroleum Limited.
In 1990 Schön Air Flying Training Academy was also established making it the only company to excel in charters & flying training. The company was successful in expanding the aircraft fleet from two in 1990 to five to date.
Schon Air is in the process of growing its flight training set-up into an 'aviation university' and getting more planes for its private charter operations.Air Mashriq is based in London, United Kingdom. This airline is owned and operated by Pakistanis and primarily provides charter services. However by early 2007, it will begin services to Pakistan from London to the cities of Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta.- Deewan International Airlines
Pearl Air is a private airline based at Jinnah International Airport, Sindh, Pakistan. Pearl Air is a part of Habib Alvi Group of Companies. Pearl Air has become the fourth airline operating in the private sector on domestic routes.
A Boeing 737-200Adv was delivered to the airline in January 2004. However due to licensing and acquiring rights to start passenger transportation the airline never took off. On December 24, 2005 the airline was granted rights to fly in Pakistan by the CAA of Pakistan. The airline is now scheduled to start passenger operations soon.Safe Airways International is a private airline based at Jinnah International Airport Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.
The Airline started in 1999 but was closed down due to unpaid taxes to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It plans to restart its operations in the near future.
On January, 2006, Safe Airways International stated in a press release that it is under the process of leasing six A321-200 and four Airbus A310-300. The company is now backed by investors in UK and Pakistan plans to start services to Pakistan's biggest cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Islamabad by the end of 2006. The airline also plans to begin overseas flights by the start of 2007 including Oslo and Copenhagen in Europe and Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila in Southeast Asia. On February 19, 2006, the new management of Safe Air inked a deal to acquire four 737-200 aircraft worth $18 million. The aircraft will be acquired on dry lease with a purchase option after some time and will increase its fleet size to 15 aircraft by the end of 2006. The deal has been struck with Safair of South Africa which is based in Johannesburg.
Bhoja Air was an airline based in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. It operated a small domestic scheduled network and links domestic cities to destinations in the United Arab Emirates. It has ceased operations in 2000 due to financial difficulties and succumbed to numerous debts.
On 7 November 1993, Bhoja Air started operations. The airline started with services on domestic routes and inaugurating flights between Karachi, Lahore and Quetta, with a dry lease Boeing 737-200 aircraft. The aircraft was registered with Pakistani registration and was the first private airline in Pakistan to operate with a Western manufactured aircraft.
Bhoja Air, a privately owned airline was owned by the Bhoja Group of Companies. Bhoja Air has its head office at Shahrah–e-Liaquat and corporate Offices at KDA society. Karachi was one of its prime locations as the airline believed it was the heart of the gateway to Southeast Asia. It also had its headquarters in Karachi.
In 1996, it signed a deal with the globally acclaimed handling agent group called ‘OGDENS’ with complete Ground handling equipment at Karachi. Their equipment was capable to handle Boeing 747s.
In the same year another Sister Company, Pakistan Aviators and Aviation located at Lahore International airport was purchased along with a hotel for passenger stop overs.
During January 24, 1998, was another festive day for the company when it commenced its first International flight from Karachi to Dubai. Later, Bhoja Air operated flights to the U.A.E from all major cities of Pakistan including having a solid domestic network.
However due to competition with the other private airlines and the national flag carrier (PIA), Bhoja Air was not able to keep up with finances and filed for bankruptcy in 2001.Hajvairy Airlines was based in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Hajvairy Airlines started its operations in 1991. It operated leased Russian Ilyushin Il-86 jetliners. The airline suspended its operations in 1993 due to bankruptcy. There are reports that might restart its operations.- Orient Airways (merged to form PIA)
Orient Airways Ltd., registered in Calcutta city of British India on 23rd October 1946. With Mirza Ahmad Ispahani the Chairman and Air Vice Marshal O.K. Carter as the General Manager of the new air carrier, an operating license was obtained in May 1947 with Calcutta as the base. Four Douglas DC-3s had been purchased from Tempo of Texas in February 1947 and operations first started on 4 June 1947. The designated route was Calcutta-Akyab-Rangoon, which also happened to be the first post-war international operation to be flown by an airline registered in India. Within two months of Orient Airways' operational beginnings, Pakistan was born. The birth of a new nation generated one of the largest transfers of population in the history of Mankind.
Orient Airways, along with the help of some BOAC aircraft which had been chartered by the Government of Pakistan, started relief operations and transportation of the population between Delhi and Karachi, the two capitals. Later, Orient Airways transferred its base to Pakistan and established the vital, link between Karachi and Dacca, the two capitals of the two wings of Pakistan. With a skeleton fleet of just two DC-3s, three crew and twelve mechanics, Orient Airways launched its scheduled operations in a fairy-tale fashion. The initial routes were Karachi-Lahore-Peshawar, Karachi-Quetta-Lahore and Karachi-Delhi- Calcutta-Dacca. By the end of 1949, Orient Airways had acquired 10 DC-3s and 3 Convair 240s which it operated on these routes. In 1950, it had become increasingly apparent that additional capacity would have to be inducted in order to cater to the growing needs of the sub-continent.
Orient Airways was a privately owned company, with limited capital and resources. It could not be expected to grow and expand on its own. It was then that the Government of Pakistan decided to form a state-owned airline and invited Orient Airways to merge with it. The outcome of the merger was the birth of a new airline, named Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on 11 March, 1955.
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