KARACHI: The private airline ‘Air Karachi’ has applied to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) for a Regular Public Transport (RPT) license to begin operations in various cities across the country.

Sources within the PCAA said the authority will issue the RPT license to Air Karachi after receiving approval from the federal government.

Upon receiving the license, Air Karachi will commence flight operations. The airline has already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Earlier, the business community of Karachi announced the launch of the new airline.

Businessman Hanif Gohar announced that Air Karachi will begin operations with an initial investment of Rs 5 billion, with each shareholder contributing Rs 50 million.

Air Karachi has appointed former Southern Commander (retd) Air Vice Marshal Imran as its CEO. The airline plans to lease three aircraft in its initial phase.

Key shareholders of Air Karachi include Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, Arif Habib, SM Tanveer, Bashir Jan Muhammad, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Tufail, and Hamza Tabani.

In September last year, at least three local airlines—Jet Green, Q Airways, and Go Green Air—approached the PCAA for licenses and permits, according to sources.

Air Indus also approached the PCAA to resume flight operations. Additionally, Q Aviation and Liberty Air applied for licenses from the CAA to launch flight operations in Pakistan.

PCAA officials stated that the large number of license applications is significant for the country’s economy.

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