Air Karachi, a newly licensed Pakistani airline, has announced that it will begin domestic operations using Chinese-manufactured passenger aircraft.
The decision is expected to significantly reduce operational costs and lead to fare reductions of up to 40%, according to the airline’s Chairman, Hanif Gauhar.
Speaking to reports, Gauhar explained that the cost of acquiring Chinese aircraft is nearly half that of comparable Airbus and Boeing models.
By minimizing leasing expenses, the airline plans to pass cost savings on to passengers through reduced ticket prices. This approach is central to Air Karachi’s strategy to compete in Pakistan’s domestic aviation market.
The airline’s first phase will focus exclusively on domestic routes. Chinese pilots will operate the aircraft initially, while Pakistani pilots undergo training. Gauhar stated that efforts are underway to import flight simulators and reserve engines to support the fleet locally and accelerate crew readiness.
Air Karachi received its Regular Public Transport (RPT) license from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on June 5, 2025. The CAA has not raised objections to the use of Chinese aircraft and has confirmed that there are no regulatory barriers to their deployment.
The airline has secured approximately $17.5 million in funding through a consortium of Karachi-based investors. It plans to start operations with three aircraft and expand the fleet to seven. All initial services will be domestic, by CAA requirements that mandate one year of domestic operations before international routes can be considered.
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Wish Air Karachi all the best and astounding success as and when they start commercial operations.
Excellent Efforts
that’s fine, I’m all for trying new things but the engines have to be Western…. then and only then shall I fly on AK.
Pls dont fly.
Would u like to fly on J-10 or J -17
Actually yes the engines are Western for now. Google COMAC C919 engine. . But you still living in 80s . China has already mastered most technologies and exceeded in many for example 5G Mobile Networks, Drones, EVs, etc. Commercial Engines will be china made soon
فضائی سفر میں آسانی اور مسابقت کا رویہ اختیار کریں گے جس سے مسافروں کو کرایہ کی کمی سے سفری سہولیات میسر آئے گی ۔
These aircraft are chinese copies of Airbus-A320 aircrafts, and not certified by either the FAA in the US, or AESA in the European Union – as they are manufactured on pirated technologies. Though there is little to worry about the capabilities of our aviators, trusting your lives to an uncertified machine is a completely different ballgame.
Your opinions are meaningless. When Pakistan has given a license, what is the need for a license from Europe and America?
I think Chinese Crafts will be more safe than Boeing as they are competing in every field and giving tough time to Uropeon countries
That’s allot of claims and 0 proof .
Also no one in their right mind would copy Boeing . Also FAA will certify it bcz Boeing lobbied they don’t
Faa trusts and licensed Boeing, after they admitted to cost cutting and dangerous flights. Guess what happened ! FAA cleared indian boeing planes as well.
The one that fell in India was going to UK btw
Karachi Airways should consider operating on such routes were other airlines are not operating direct flights from Karachi/Lahore.
Direct flight to Najaf e Ashraf in Iraq be operated, there is tremendous traffic on this route. At least one to two flights a week is ideal to catter to this demand.
Domestic as well foreign routes be operated with new Chines Aircrafts. Air Karachi should work and CAA will allow new aircraft for operation on foreign routes.
It’s wonderful effort but unfortunately the tradition in Pakistan is only to start some service and that is aimed for few years and later flopped.
Mind set must be to build it for a long time and must grow like many others in the world.
Pakistan has lot of potential but all needs to be budget orientated and must consider customers first policy.
May Allah bless and help Air Karachi to get good response.
Excellent Effort.
Wish You Good Luck.
Best wishes
Very good initiative mashallah All the best 👍
…..a footnote to my earlier comment. Getting landing rights to Middle and far Eastern airports will be tricky if nearly impossible due to the many overwhelming patent violations that comes with this aircraft. As these are dominated and operated under us and european aviation guidelines – which leaves the domestic, chinese and to thise countries who are not on good terms with europe or the US. Apart from that low cost or not, not many countries will allow AK to use their facilities. It is for the investors to have a serious discussion with the technical team on what and why they based their aircraft assessment on, failure to do so will see yet another airlines that will be consigned to the dustbin that has seen many Pakistani airlines come and go. Further more the production of C919 is years behind schedule, so it must be asked where are these aircraft coming from ? There is a hint of a stink behind all of this and in light of recent accidents on reputable aircrafts, flying an uncertified or endorsed aircraft, I would hesitate to send a box of mangoes on. So before putting lives of crews and passengers on the line, someone needs to ask themselves some serious questions.
Debunked long ago. FAA cleared Boeing despite Boeing abysmal quality record under McDonnell Douglas.
FAA is limited to USA not global. And which patent violation ? Care to provide proof plz
European guidelines ? You mean same guidelines under which indian boeing aircraft went to London but landed right next to airport onto a hospital ?
You do know that Chinese are being targeted despite having better standards then US .
That’s why Boeing execs were given presidential pardon despite found guilty
Go Green, Go! Heartfelt congratulations to Pakistan and Air Karachi on this exciting new beginning. Wishing you a journey of great achievements, bringing top-class and budget-friendly air services to the nation
Great Chinese planes
Anything but boeing is fine by me . NEVER BOEING