The Punjab government is fast-tracking its ambitious aviation project, with Punjab Airlines (also referred to as Air Punjab) officially scheduled to begin operations in April 2026. Sources revealed on February 19 that the airline has initially secured seven passenger aircraft to serve its first phase. The provincial carrier will operate exclusively on domestic routes for the first two years, prioritizing links like Lahore to Islamabad, before expanding into the international market.
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A key pillar of the project is its “profit-first” commercial model. In a move to ensure transparency and prevent a drain on the provincial treasury, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has mandated that all government officials, including herself, pay full commercial fares for travel. The Chief Minister’s existing helicopter will be inducted as the airline’s first operational asset. Officials emphasized that no separate luxury aircraft will be purchased for VIP use; instead, the fleet, which reportedly includes a Gulfstream G500, will serve both public passengers and government representatives on a commercial basis.
Seven passenger planes initially purchased for Punjab Airlines, say sources
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The airline’s establishment follows the 2025 approval by the Punjab Cabinet and its formal registration with the SECP. Recruitment is currently underway for senior management, including the CEO and pilots, as the province prepares to become the first in Pakistan to operate its own commercial carrier.
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