How Will the Newly-launched Airline Benefit Tourism in Pakistan?
According to the news report, the private company plans to expand its commercial helicopter flights to other tourist attractions in the upcountry.
NEW LOW-COST CARRIER ‘FLY JINNAH’ UNVEILS BRAND IDENTITY
Fly Jinnah, a low-cost airline startup in Pakistan, has finally revealed its brand identity to the public as it is nearing its launch date. The carrier is yet to acquire its air operator’s certificate from the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). In the initial phase, it will introduce domestic flight operations from its main base in Karachi.
Fly Jinnah is a joint venture between Pakistan’s Lakson Group and Air Arabia. According to the stakeholders of this new airline, the abbreviation “FJ” and its visual brand identity, which is focused on the red color, reflect the young and modern spirit of the airline.
The northern areas of Pakistan are home to some of the world’s highest mountain ranges and lush green valleys. You can easily find a lot of travel guides and Vlogs on YouTube detailing these natural wonderlands of our country as both local and international tourists frequent them.
The government authorities are making all possible efforts to boost tourism in Pakistan. For instance, camping pods were recently introduced in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This initiative aimed to facilitate travelers by providing them with suitable and comfortable places to stay near the region’s most visited natural tourist spots.
Getting to these destinations was another major challenge in the past. It was because of the long, tedious road trips. However, things have improved a lot in recent years and are expected to get even better soon. With the recent expansion of flight operations in the country, you can now enjoy direct flights from major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad to the northern areas of Pakistan.
Considering the constantly increasing demand for air travel to the destinations up north, the concerned authorities have recently provided another new airline in Pakistan with an operational permit.
If you are also a travel enthusiast who loves exploring the natural beauty of our homeland, then read this post till the end to learn all about this newly launched private airline and how you can benefit from its services.
THE LAUNCH OF THE NEW AIRLINE IN PAKISTAN TO BOOST TOURISM
A new private airline named ‘North Air’ has been provided with the TPRI (Tourism Promotion and Regional Integration) license by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). This new airline in Pakistan is reportedly planned to operate flights for a few major cities in the northern areas, including Gilgit, Skardu, and Chitral, as well as the emerging port city of Gwadar in the south.
North Air will initially operate flights between Islamabad’s capital city and all the destinations mentioned above. The airline will be headquartered at the New Islamabad International Airport.
UPCOMING PRIVATE AIRLINES IN PAKISTAN
Three more private airlines are due to be launched in Pakistan soon. AFTER SCRUTINIZING THEIR OPERATION MODELS, the CAA is providing these airlines with their Regular Public Transport (RPT). Q-Airlines, Fly Jinnah, and Jet Green are expected to start domestic flight operations soon.
The launch of these new airlines will take the number of private airlines operating in Pakistan to seven. Air North, SereneAir, Airblue, and AirSial are used in the local private airline industry, primarily handling domestic and a few international flights.
According to the new CAA regulations, private airlines would only become eligible for international flights after completing one year successfully with at least a fleet of three aircraft.
PIA LAUNCHES FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR NORTHERN AREAS
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the country’s national flag carrier, has also recently commenced direct flight operations from Lahore to the northern areas of Pakistan. The PIA is using Airbus A-320 aircraft for the flight operation to Skardu. The fare of this flight starts from PKR 7,500 per person.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has also started flight operations between Karachi and Skardu. According to the PIA flight schedule, the airline operates two weekly flights for this route to facilitate tourists. Direct flights from Karachi to Skardu are expected to impact the local tourism industry significantly.
The famous Saidu Sharif airport in Swat has also been reopened after 17 years. On March 26, 2021, the airport welcomed its first flight in almost two decades.
The Saidu Sharif Airport has not catered to any flights and has been entirely non-operational since 2004. The national flag carrier abandoned all its commercial flight operations in the region until the first quarter of 2021. Now that the airport in Swat has finally been reopened, PIA plans to operate two flights to Swat: one from Lahore and one from Islamabad in a week.
The government has also introduced a TV channel for tourism. Named ‘Discover Pakistan,’ the channel broadcasts travel guides and documentaries about the most famous tourist spots in the country.
