Fly Jinnah: Air Arabia to start new low-cost airline in partnership with Pakistani investor

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/airarabiagroup?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@airarabiagroup</a> to Pakistan & wish them success in their partnership with local investors to establish a new Pakistani airline, FLY JINNAH. My govt is committed to attracting investment in Pakistan's burgeoning travel & tourism sector which offers immense opportunities.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1433808204597694491?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

DUBAI: Pakistan's Lakson Group and Middle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia said on Friday they would launch a low-cost airline serving domestic and international routes from Pakistan.

The new carrier, Fly Jinnah, will operate as a joint venture between the pair, they said in a statement, adopting the low-cost model operated by Air Arabia.

The statement said the new airline would help Pakistan’s travel and tourism sector and contribute to the country’s economic growth and job creation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed the group to Pakistan and wished them success in establishing Fly Jinnah.

"My government is committed to attracting investment in Pakistan's burgeoning travel and tourism sector which offers immense opportunities," he said.

Air Arabia operates from Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, and has similar joint ventures in Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Morocco and Armenia. Its shares are listed on the Dubai Financial Market.

The airline has been pushing ahead to expand in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak last year as low-cost carriers bet on a post-pandemic surge in travel.

 

[MenInG]

Not sure if this name Fly Jinnah is such a great idea! strange name - like India having an airline called Fly Gandhi!

 

[cric_man]

Not sure if this name Fly Jinnah is such a great idea! strange name - like India having an airline called Fly Gandhi!

Yeah. The name selection could have been better.

 

[Giannis]

1. Strange name and kinda disrespectful

2. Pakistani airlines are scary to fly on let alone on a budget airline

 

[AdamM97]

Isn’t there like a law on the usage of Jinnah’s name for commercial purposes?

 

[Ryw]

Low cost budget airlines usually gets lots of abuse from customers for every other reason, so i have reservations on this name selection, imagine every tom dck and harry using this phrase "YAAR JINNAH FARIG HA US PY TRAVEL NA KARNA"

 

[MenInG]

Really disappointed if that is the name - almost sounds like a prank!

 

[Shaddy86]

Why would the government support this instead of fixing PIA?

 

[MenInG]

Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s new low-cost carrier, on Wednesday revealed its visual brand identity.

Fly Jinnah’s’ brand identity, with its brand name abbreviation ‘FJ’, has adopted the vibrant red as its main colour to reflect the young and modern spirit of the airline while the logo and brand identity consisting of its unique font and round-shaped symbol reflects motion and continuity, according to a statement released in this regard.

Its brand values are Ambition – offering customers true value and connecting communities across the globe; Sincerity – honesty and willingness to achieve and grow while striving to improve; and Inventiveness – crafting creative solutions while remaining focused, practical, and efficient.

Inspired by the logo and the brand ethos, ‘Fly Jinnah’s’ aircraft livery reflects a modern airline that is aspiring, energetic, and constantly on the move.

‘Fly Jinnah’, incorporated in Pakistan as an entity that is majority-owned by Pakistani citizens who are also sponsors of one of Pakistan’s leading and most diversified business conglomerates, the Lakson Group, is the fourth private national airline of Pakistan, established to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy by creating new jobs and supporting core sectors such as tourism and hospitality.

Expressing his views on the launch of the airline, Iqbal Ali Lakhani, Chairman of Fly Jinnah, said: “The reveal of ‘Fly Jinnah’s’ visual identity was chosen carefully to reflect the evolution and progression of aviation needs in Pakistan."

"‘Fly Jinnah’ will not only serve Pakistan’s aviation industry, but it also aims to contribute to the country’s infrastructure, tourism, business travel and the creation of new jobs. Fly Jinnah will be a catalyst to the country’s economic growth,” he added.

Lakhani further said, "We are proud to have Air Arabia Group, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) operator, as our minority partners in this venture, and are confident of the quality of services that our customers will receive."

He further revealed that "Air Arabia Group’s partnership will support us in fulfilling this vision by sharing the knowledge and expertise of one of the leading and globally recognised low-cost airline operators. Developing and upskilling local human resources in the field of aviation is a key objective of our partnership with the Air Arabia Group.”

According to the airline's chairman, "‘Fly Jinnah’ is in the process of obtaining its local air operator’s certificate (AOC), which once completed, will allow the airline to be granted the right to operate flights."

The carrier, he maintained, will initially be based in Karachi serving a range of domestic routes across Pakistan and then expanding its route network internationally.

Lakhani said: “The aviation industry is an economic engine and a crucial sector for sustainable development. Investment in aviation also provides significant social benefits by providing our citizens with reliable access to air transport that improves the quality of life."

Concluding, he said, "We are excited to provide increased frequencies on domestic services and create more direct flight services between Pakistani cities and the world. ‘Fly Jinnah,’ as a private Pakistani airline, is established to fulfil this purpose while realising the potential that currently exists in developing Pakistan’s air transport sector.”

In short, ‘Fly Jinnah’ is a Pakistani private joint venture low-cost airline. Based in Karachi, Fly Jinnah follows the successful low-cost business model operated by Air Arabia that focuses on offering comfort, reliability, and value-for-money air travel.

Air transport supports over 30 million jobs and $684 billion in GDP in Asia and Pacific alone. Countries in Asia and Subcontinent are focusing on aviation as a catalyst for economic growth, supporting domestic and international connectivity, while contributing immensely to local employment.

Joint ventures in aviation have proven to be successful globally and are increasingly commonplace. A typical JV model is for a parent airline group to have a minority share while local owners hold a majority share, marrying together local knowledge and world-class aviation expertise.

Almost all countries in the world follow the same policy of FDI in aviation that would permit up to 49 per cent foreign ownership. JVs provide significant social benefit to human capital through knowledge transfer and the development of local talents, by bringing in international experience, know-how, and training standards, into the local market.

Lakson Group and Air Arabia Group announced their decision to form a JV airline in Pakistan in September 2021. Fly Jinnah will follow the low-cost business model and provide its customer base with a reliable operation and value-driven product. More details about the launch date, fleet, and destination network will be announced in due course.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2347158/pakistans-low-cost-fly-jinnah-airline-unveils-brand-identity

 

[JaDed]

Not sure if this name Fly Jinnah is such a great idea! strange name - like India having an airline called Fly Gandhi!

There is no debate about Mr Jinnah being most important figure of Pakistan, I wouldn’t necessarily equate Mr. Gandhi to be similar importance to us.

 

[gani999]

Good to see a lot of new airlines coming up in Pakistan - AirSial, Serene Air and now Fly Jinnah.

How are they doing, moneywise? Given that they are all flying Airbus A320/Boeing 737 type of aircraft, it's obvious they are only focusing on the big cities, and not on smaller airports.
Does Pakistan allow startup airlines to fly international routes?

 

[MenInG]

Good to see a lot of new airlines coming up in Pakistan - AirSial, Serene Air and now Fly Jinnah.

How are they doing, moneywise? Given that they are all flying Airbus A320/Boeing 737 type of aircraft, it's obvious they are only focusing on the big cities, and not on smaller airports.
Does Pakistan allow startup airlines to fly international routes?

I guess expensive to run those routes?

 

[MenInG]

KARACHI: The Pakistan airspace is set to get crowded as Fly Jinnah, a proposed low-cost carrier, prepares to take wing by June, ARY News reported.

The airline has already commenced recruitment drives for cabin crew in Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore. Fly Jinnah will operate flights between Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

The airline has announced to charge the lowest fare for the travellers for its domestic flights.

“Fly Jinnah will benefit from the experience of Air Arabia, which is its minority stakeholder,” an aviation expert from Pakistan said. “It will be essentially a low-cost airline, just like its partner.”

“The airline will begin operating domestically with three leased A320 aircraft and will gradually expand to international routes after a year of successful domestic operations following the addition of aircraft,” the insider said.

Last year, in order to boost tourism, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday issued TPRI (Tourism Promotion and Regional Integration) license to a newly launched private airline named North Air.

ARY

 

[gani999]

I guess expensive to run those routes?

It depends. Cost-wise, it may be cheaper/more profitable to operate on some routes between Pakistan and the Gulf, than on domestic routes within Pakistan.

It is how it is in India, for example. Indian airline companies make more money and profits on their international routes, given the operating costs within India.

But international routes have bilateral restrictions and in India, the added requirement that the airline should have at least 20 aircraft in its fleet before it can fly abroad. I wonder of Pakistan has similar restrictions on fleet size for its airlines wanting to fly internationally?

 

[MenInG]

Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s new low-cost carrier (LCC), on Tuesday announced that it had received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Air Operating License (AOL), which will allow the airline to start operating from Karachi International Airport as the country’s fifth private carrier.

Securing the AOC and AOL confirms that Fly Jinnah has met all the professional capabilities, adheres to all safety regulations, and has proven safe and secure to operate as a passenger and cargo airline following the completion of rigorous inspections by the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) in which Fly Jinnah was in full compliance with all technical and operational requirements set by PCAA, a statement issued by the airline said.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

The name of Pakistan’s new low-cost carrier, Fly Jinnah, echoed in the National Assembly as the federal ministers and parliamentarians hailed the airline flight experience as safe, comfortable and cost-effective.

During the NA session on Thursday, JUI-F MNA Aliya Kamran said due to the arrival of Fly Jinnah, other domestic airlines have also reduced their fares and also trying to improve their services.

She said other airlines including PIA have reduced their fares to Balochistan from Rs20,000 to Rs16,000 as competition growing in the aviation industry due to the arrival of Fly Jinnah.

When MNA Rana Ishaq complained about the suspension of PIA’s flights to Lahore and Islamabad for a long-time, Aviation Minister Saad Rafique replied that the new airline, Fly Jinnah, started its operations from both the cities. “The fares are also low and the planes are in good condition. The new airline has fulfilled your demand,” the minister added while hailing the services of Fly Jinnah.

Rafique added that the launching of a new airline has increased competition in the aviation industry, forcing other airlines to reduce their fares.

Pakistan’s low-cost carrier, Fly Jinnah, has started flight operations as the fourth domestic airline on October 31 after it obtained an air operator certificate and an air operating licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

The inaugural flight departed from Karachi to Islamabad on Monday (Oct 31) afternoon. A cake was cut in the lounge of Jinnah Terminal at the flight’s departure and a water salute was presented by the CAA as it landed at the Islamabad International Airport.

Air Arabia Group CEO Adel Abdullah Ali, Colgate Palmolive Pakistan and Fly Jinnah Director Zulfiqar Ali Lakhani, CAA Director General Khaqan Murtaza, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Saleem Mandviwala and Spokesman of Prime Minister Fahd Hussain were also present on the occasion.

Fly Jinnah COO Arman Yahya said that equipped with modern technology, the airline is crossing the milestone of starting air operations. He said that the airline will play an important role in the aviation sector as it provides passengers with an easy and comfortable means of air travel. There will be no compromise on safety and the operations are starting with three Airbus A320 aircraft, he added.

The COO said that domestic flights will run in the first year while international flights will start in the second year. Fly Jinnah will operate daily flights from Karachi to Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar, and four flights to Quetta per week, he added.

 

[PakLFC]

Jinnah's name is integral to the existence of Pakistan. I see nothing wrong in having his name in the airline. Perhaps having the name "Quaid Airways" or something like that would have been better.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Good news for travelers as Pakistani low cost airline adds another international route

KARACHI – Travel route between Pakistan and Middle East saw huge influx of passengers and now a low-cost airline started a non-stop route between Islamabad and Muscat.

Flu Jinnah, the low-cost airline, announced new route to Muscat. The airline will manage two weekly flights, accommodating hundreds of passengers.

A spokesperson of the airline mentioned rolling out new route following the successful launch of international flights connecting Islamabad and Lahore to Sharjah.

Islamabad to Muscat Flights
It said Fly Jinnah is set to start its third international route from Islamabad to Muscat from May 10.

The new route is in line with Fly Jinnah’s promise to provide new routes to passengers in value.

As of April 2024, Fly Jinnah comprises five Airbus A320 aircraft the airline serves five major cities in fifth populated nation including Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.

Earlier this year, the airline said announced to increase frequency of its nonstop flights to UAE.

Source: Pak Observer

 

[BouncerGuy]

Fly Jinnah launches Islamabad-Muscat flights today

Fly Jinnah is launching flights for its new international route between Islamabad and Muscat in Oman on Friday (today).

Before the departure of the maiden flight, a special cake-cutting ceremony will be held in the lounge of Islamabad Airport, which will be attended by the representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), airport security and other agencies. The flight will be given a water salute at the Muscat airport.

Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s cheapest airline, will initially operate two weekly flights on this new route on Friday and Sunday. This new route will be the third international route on Fly Jinnah’s international flights list that includes Sharjah, UAE.

A spokesperson for the airline said that this expansion of “our international route is in line with our commitment to provide affordable air travel to our passengers” both domestically and internationally.

“Fly Jinnah is very proud to introduce its third international route from Islamabad to Muscat, the capital of Oman, after the successful launch of international flights to Sharjah from Islamabad and Lahore, marking another milestone,” the spokesperson added.

Fly Jinnah is steadfast in providing its passengers with the convenience of cheap air travel. Currently, Fly Jinnah is serving Pakistan’s five major cities – Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar and Quetta – with its fleet of five modern Airbus A320 aircraft.

SOURCE: EXPRESS TRIBUNE

 

[FearlessRoar]

Fly Jinnah flight with Sindh governor onboard ‘makes emergency landing’ at Karachi airport

According to sources within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Islamabad-bound flight 670, carrying Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and 149 other passengers, made an emergency landing at the Karachi airport, soon after taking off.

The flight was cancelled after the emergency landing, while the sources revealed that the same flight made emergency landings several times due to technical faults.

The pilot wisely diverted the plane back to Karachi airport after spotting a technical fault in the flight near Nawabshah. The sources privy to the development said the flight passengers are safe and sound.

Earlier on Friday, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Hajj flight, PK 839, made an emergency landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Sources said that the Hajj flight took off at 10pm Saturday from the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi for Jeddah. But it was diverted to Riyadh for an emergency landing.

Following the emergency landing, passengers were offloaded from the plane and shifted to the lounge at the Riyadh airport.

After inspection, the flight was departed to Jeddah.

Fly Jinnah flight with Sindh governor onboard 'makes emergency landing' at Karachi airport

KARACHI: A flight of Fly Jinnah Airlines on Sunday made an emergency landing at Karachi airport after developing a technical fault, ARY News reported,

arynews.tv

 

[FearlessRoar]

Why is the Sindh Governer using private airlines?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Fly Jinnah flight makes emergency landing at Lahore airport

Fly Jinnah flight travelling from Karachi to Lahore made an emergency landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore after fire alarms went off in the cockpit on Monday.

According to a Civil Airport Authority spokesperson, the captain of a cargo flight issued a “mayday” call at 7:15pm near Lahore, reporting smoke in the cargo compartment. But the private airliner safely landed at the airport at 7:23pm.

The spokesperson stated that the airport authority’s Fire Department was on-site to handle the emergency and all passengers and crew were safely evacuated using the aircraft’s emergency exit system.

Following an inspection, the fire department declared the aircraft clear at 7:57pm. Senior officials have ordered an investigation into the incident.

In a statement, Fly Jinnah said that its flight 9P846 from Karachi to Lahore experienced a “smoke alarm” indication in the cargo compartment upon landing in Lahore on Monday.

“All crew and passengers on board landed safely in Lahore,” it said and added that the technical team conducted a thorough inspection to identify the alarm cause.

Earlier this month, an international flight made an emergency landing in Karachi after a passenger died on board.

Flight G9512, operated by a foreign airline, was traveling from Sharjah to Dhaka when a 42-year-old passenger became critically ill, prompting the crew to seek emergency landing permission.

SOURCE: https://english.aaj.tv/news/330380850/fly-jinnah-flight-makes-emergency-landing-at-lahore-airport