Air Karachi, a newly licensed airline, has announced plans to reduce airfares by up to 40%. This bold step comes as the airline prepares to launch operations utilizing Chinese-manufactured passenger aircraft, a strategic decision that could dramatically cut back operational costs.
Speaking to reporters, Hanif Gauhar, Chairman of Air Karachi, explained that Chinese planes cost almost half as much as their Western counterparts like Airbus and Boeing.
“The lower leasing and maintenance costs give us room to provide passengers with much cheaper travel charges,” he stated. “We strongly desire to make air travel affordable for more Pakistanis, especially those people who depend on long and tiring road journeys.”
Aims to focus on domestic routes in its first phase
The airline has received its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on June 5, 2025, aims to focus solely on domestic routes in its first phase. This is showing strong alignment with regulatory requirements that restrict new carriers to fly within Pakistan for one year before seeking international permissions.
Air Karachi’s initial fleet will consist of three Chinese aircraft, with plans to expand to seven in the near future. While the planes will initially be operated by Chinese pilots, the airline is actively training Pakistani pilots to take over. “We’re also working on bringing in flight simulators and spare engines to establish a strong local support system,” Gauhar added.
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Pricey domestic flights
Perhaps the most striking part of Air Karachi’s strategy is its capacity to democratize air travel. By offering reliable, budget-friendly substitutes to pricey domestic flights, the airline could open new opportunities for
- Students
- Professionals
Families traveling between major cities such as
- Karachi
- Lahore
- Islamabad
- Quetta
Funding for the ambitious project has come from a consortium of investors which is largely from Karachi, who have committed $17.5 million to get the airline off the ground. CAA officials have expressed no concerns regarding the use of Chinese aircraft, affirming that all safety and regulatory standards are being met.
Passengers are always enquiring or complaining regarding limited options and expensive fares, Air Karachi’s entry could offer much-needed competition and relief—marking the beginning of a new, more accessible era in domestic aviation for Pakistan.