The Punjab government has officially approved the establishment of Air Punjab (Private) Limited which is a major step toward launching the province’s first government-backed airline.
According to officials, the cabinet chaired by CM Punjab Maryam Nawaz took a decision. During the meeting, cabinet approved airline project and key initiatives including fleet leasing and route planning were discussed.
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The working committee has requested roughly Rs 1 billion in funding from the provincial finance department, and plans call for leasing five aircraft in the initial phase of operations.
Initial routes are expected to connect major cities in Punjab and possibly extend to other provinces, with announcements that four leased aircraft may begin operations domestically ahead of an international licence,” according to Dawn.
Observers say that if launched successfully, Air Punjab could boost regional connectivity, promote tourism, reduce travel times between metropolises, and create jobs. However, they caution that obtaining aviation-regulatory approvals, ensuring cost-efficiency, managing leasing and operations, and maintaining competitive pricing will be crucial to the venture’s viability.
The approval of Air Punjab aligns with the provincial government’s broader infrastructure push and follows other major decisions such as the recruitment of School Teacher Interns and the launch of the high-speed rail project.
Implementation of Air Punjab will be closely watched by the aviation sector, with implications for domestic competition, public-sector involvement in air travel, and Punjab’s transport strategy.
