Islamabad
Pakistan’s domestic market is set to receive a significant boost as the country prepares to launch three new airlines.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is in the process of awarding operational permits to three new domestic airlines to provide a “breather” for local travel and tourism business badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
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.
A CAA spokesperson said on Wednesday that Q-Airlines, Fly Jinnah and Jet Green Airlines last week applied for Regular Public Transport (RPT) licences to launch domestic flight operations.
“The process for permission to these airlines for starting domestic flight operations in the country is underway,” the spokesperson said.
“Apart from CAA, multiple government institutions are involved in the process; that may take time,” he added.
RPT licenses would be issued after the completion of legal formalities and final approval from the federal cabinet, he said.
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.—TLTP
