Air Arabia and Pakistani group to launch budget airline 'Fly Jinnah'

Islamabad - The low-cost carrier will fly domestic and international routes

Air Arabia on Friday announced another joint venture (JV) after Fly Arna as it collaboared with one of Pakistan’s leading business conglomerates Lakson Group to launch a low-cost airline, Fly Jinnah.

The proposed JV will set up a budget carrier serving domestic and international routes from Pakistan, catering to a population of 220 million.

Work on securing an air operating certificate (AOC) will commence shortly and details about the launch date, fleet and destination network will be announced in due course. Aviation sources said the new airline is expected to take off early next year.

“Fly Jinnah will serve the strategic vision of Pakistan’s travel and tourism sector and contribute to the country’s economic growth and job creation, while providing Pakistanis with reliable and value for money air travel,” a statement said.

Air Jinnah will be latest entrant in Pakistan’s growing aviation market after SereneAir and Air Sial. Alvir Airways also secured a licence to operate domestic flights. Pakistan International Airlines is the only listed carrier in the country while airblue is the oldest active airline in the private sector.

Jet Green Airline and Q-Airlines are also in process to secure an AOC.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan threw his support to the JV via Twitter.

“I welcome @airarabiagroup to Pakistan & wish them success in their partnership with local investors to establish a new Pakistani airline, FLY JINNAH. My govt is committed to attracting investment in Pakistan’s burgeoning travel & tourism sector which offers immense opportunities,” he wrote.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Thani, Chairman of Air Arabia, said Fly Jinnah will initially be based in Karachi, serving a range of domestic routes across Pakistan and then will expand its route network internationally.