Fly Jinnah Gains Government Approval for International Operations in Pakistan

Fly Jinnah (9P), based at Karachi International, has received the green light from the Pakistani government to commence scheduled international flights. Reports indicate that the federal cabinet, in a meeting last week, granted approval after the airline garnered support from Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) and the prime minister’s office.

In August, Fly Jinnah, backed by Air Arabia, submitted an application seeking rights to operate flights to various destinations, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Existing air service agreements between Pakistan and these countries generally allow for multiple operators on the relevant country pairs.

Although Fly Jinnah has not disclosed its initial international destination, the approved routes cover a range of countries with existing passenger operators. Kam Air is the sole scheduled operator on the Pakistan-Afghanistan route, AZALJET and PIA – Pakistan International Airlines on the Pakistan-Azerbaijan route, and so on. The carrier’s strategic choice will likely consider market demand and competition.

Fly Jinnah, operating three leased A320-200s, currently serves five cities within Pakistan. The airline obtained its operating permit in 2021 and commenced operations in late 2022. Pakistani aviation regulations mandate that local airlines operate satisfactorily on domestic routes for at least 12 months before securing permission for international flights.

The government’s approval marks a significant milestone for Fly Jinnah, positioning the airline to expand its network and contribute to Pakistan’s air connectivity. As the carrier embarks on its international journey, passengers can anticipate new travel options and increased accessibility to diverse destinations.