Air Arabia, a budget carrier airline in the UAE, and the Lakson Group, a Pakistani conglomerate, has announced the decision to launch ‘Fly Jinnah,’ a new low-cost airline.
The joint venture (JV) launched airline will be operated in Karachi initially, serving a variety of domestic routes across Pakistan before expanding its route network globally.
The process of obtaining the Air Operating Certificate (AOC), which authorizes the airline to begin operations, will begin soon. More information on the debut date, fleet, and destination network will be released soon, according to reports.
The air transport industry is expected to contribute $3.3 billion to Pakistan’s GDP, as per IATA reports. Inputs to the air transport industry and foreign tourists traveling by air account for 1 percent of the country’s GDP.
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani Chairman – Air Arabia
“We are delighted at Air Arabia Group to partner with Lakson Group on this joint venture to launch Pakistan’s new low-cost carrier. We are confident that ‘Fly Jinnah’ will add value to the air transport sector of Pakistan and directly contribute to the local economy through job creation and the development of the travel and tourism sector.”
After SereneAir and Air Sial, Air Jinnah will be the third airline to enter Pakistan’s booming aviation sector. Alvir Airways was also granted permission to operate domestic flights. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is the country’s only listed carrier, and Airblue is the country’s oldest private airline.
Mr. Iqbal Ali Lakhani, Chairman of Lakson Group, said, “We are excited to partner with Air Arabia in launching Pakistan’s new low-cost carrier. ‘Fly Jinnah’ will serve Pakistan’s travel and tourism sector and will play a constructive role in contributing to the nation’s economic growth.”
Recently, Air Arabia and the Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) have named Armenia’s new airline Fly Arna. The joint venture for a low-cost airline was established in July 2021.
