ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s domestic market is set to obtain a significant improvement as the authorities prepare to launch three new airlines.
According to the spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the authority is in the process of awarding operational permits to three new domestic airlines to provide a “breather” to local travel and tourism business badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
He informed two of these startups have completed the necessary administrative processes, while the third remains under scrutiny. Subject to a successful first year, the carriers may also go on to operate international services.
The spokesperson said that Q-Airlines, Fly Jinnah and Jet Green Airlines last week applied for Regular Public Transport (RPT) licenses to launch domestic flight operations.
“The procedure for authorization to these airlines for starting domestic flight operations in the country is ongoing,” the spokesperson said.“Apart from CAA, multiple government institutions are involved in the process; that may take time,” he added.
He further informed RPT licenses would be issued after the completion of legal formalities and final approval from the federal cabinet.
With the launch of the three airlines, the country will have a total of seven airlines, including state-owned Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
In addition, the number of aircraft in the country would also increase. Pakistan currently has less than 50pc in the number of aircraft needed for a country of more than 220 million people.
According to the National Aviation Policy 2019, the airlines seeking permits are legally bound to keep a minimum fleet size of three airworthy aircraft for domestic operations.
They can operate on international routes after the completion of one year in the domestic sector for which a minimum of five airworthy aircraft on a purchase/dry-lease are required.
