The number of airlines operating in Pakistan has steadily increased over the years. The demand for air travel has increased substantially with increased economic activities. The tourism sector in Pakistan has also contributed significantly to increased air travel as people have more time for leisure.
The increasing number of airlines operating in Pakistan means that people have more domestic and international travel options. Travellers can choose the airline that closely aligns with their preferences and budget.
The overall increase in demand for air travel has prompted the Pakistani government to upgrade airports and provide improved facilities to make the passenger experience as pleasant as possible. The development of some new airports, such as the Islamabad International Airport, speaks to the fact that air travel in Pakistan is projected to increase further.
Graana.com aims to provide the most relevant and up-to-date information to help you plan your travels effectively. Find information on airlines operating in Pakistan and their travel routes to various destinations.
Airlines Operating in Pakistan
Several national and international airlines operate in Pakistan. Over the years, the number of destinations has also increased, thanks to the government’s efforts to improve economic ties with other countries. Below is a list of all the airlines that operate in Pakistan,
Domestic Airlines
| Airline | Airline Type | Destination Cities |
| Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) | Domestic and International | International Destinations: Kabul, Dhaka, Toronto, Beijing, Copenhagen, Paris, Najaf, Delhi, Mumbai, Milan, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Oslo, Muscat, Doha, Dammam, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, Barcelona, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Birmingham, London, Manchester
Domestic Destinations: Bahawalpur, Chitral, Dadu, Dalbandin, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Gilgit, Gwadar, Islamabad, Kadanwari, Karachi, Lahore, Mohenjo Daro, Multan, Panjgur, Peshawar, Quetta, Rahim Yar Khan, Skardu, Sialkot, Sawan, Sukkur, Turbat, Zamzama, Zhob |
| Air Blue | Domestic and International | International Destinations: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah
Domestic Destinations: Skardu, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Peshawar, Karachi |
| Serene Air | Domestic and International | International Destinations: Dubai, Jeddah, Medina, Riyadh, Sharjah
Domestic Destinations: Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi |
| AirSial Limited | Domestic | Domestic Destinations: Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi, Sialkot |
| Fly Jinnah | Domestic | Domestic Destinations: Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Karachi |
International Airlines operating in Pakistan
Here is a list of international airlines that operate in Pakistan:
| Airline | Airports | Destination Country |
| Emirates | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Sialkot | United Arab Emirates |
| Air Arabia | Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Quetta, Faisalabad | United Arab Emirates |
| Qatar Airways | Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad | Qatar |
| Etihad Airways | Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi | United Arab Emirates |
| Turkish Airlines | Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad | Turkey |
| Saudi Arabian Airlines | Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore | Saudi Arabia |
| Gulf Air | Karachi, Peshawar, Sialkot, Lahore, Islamabad, Multan, Quetta, Faisalabad | Bahrain |
| Thai Airways | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore | Thailand |
| Sri Lankan Airlines | Karachi, Lahore | Sri Lanka |
| Kuwait Airways | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore | Kuwait |
| Air China | Islamabad, Karachi | China |
| China Southern Airlines | Islamabad, Lahore | China |
| Uzbekistan Airways | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore | Uzbekistan |
| Ariana Afghan Airlines | Islamabad | Afghanistan |
| Oman Air | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore | Oman |
| Kam Air | Islamabad | Afghanistan |
| Mahan Air | Lahore | Iran |
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), formerly Orient Airways, has been a highly respected airline since its inception on October 23, 1946. PIA has established itself as a prominent player in the aviation industry with scheduled flights to 23 domestic destinations and 30 international locations spanning Asia, Europe, and North America.
The airline’s primary hubs and booking offices are located in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad/Rawalpindi, while it also maintains secondary hubs in Peshawar, Faisalabad, Quetta, Sialkot, and Multan. PIA’s commitment to providing quality service and a safe, comfortable travel experience has earned it a loyal following among domestic and international travellers.
If you need more information, please check their official website or call the number provided for help.
Website: https://www.piac.com.pk/
Contact:+(92-21)-111-786-786
Air Blue
Airblue is a well-known airline in Pakistan that provides exceptional service and competitive pricing. It has been in operation since 2003 and began commercial flights in 2004. Airblue offers domestic and international routes, connecting six major cities within Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Rahim Yar Khan, Sialkot, and Multan.
Additionally, they offer flights to international destinations such as Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, Muscat in Oman, and Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. You can check their website or contact them at the given number for more information.
Website: https://www.airblue.com/
Contact: 111-AIR-BLUE (247-258)
Serene Air
A new private airline, began operations in Pakistan’s aviation industry in January 2017 and received positive customer reviews. Despite being the fourth domestic carrier in the country after Airblue, Pakistan International Airlines has made quite an impression with its services.
The airline provides its services to some of the most significant cities in Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Peshawar, and Quetta. Travellers now have more transportation options that focus on their comfort and safety.
To learn more, visit their website or call the number they provided.
Website: https://www.sereneair.com/
Contact: 111 737 363
New Airlines in Pakistan
Many of the airlines in Pakistan have started operations recently. In fact, if you look at the history of airlines in Pakistan, then you will realise that most of the airlines started operations after the 2000s. Here, we discuss some of the latest additions to air travel in Pakistan,
Fly Jinnah
Fly Jinnah was officially launched for flight operations in 2022. This low-cost carrier is a joint venture between Air Arabia (a low-cost airline company in UAE) and the Lakson Group in Pakistan. This was welcome news for Pakistanis since this new airline promised cheaper flights to some of the popular destinations in Pakistan.
The joint venture resulted from Air Arabia’s push to expand into developing markets, where it is looking to expand its operations by providing affordable flights. The goal of Fly Jinnah is to provide value-for-money flights that are not only low cost but also provide reliability and comfort to their customers. The airline currently only operates domestic flights between Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Karachi.
You can find more information on their website or by contacting them at the provided phone number.Website: https://www.flyjinnah.com/
Contact: N/A
AirSial
Another latest addition to the airline is Airsial, which commenced its operations in 2020. With a mission to become the leading airline in the region, Airsial has rapidly become a well-reputed brand. SIAL is an acronym for “Sialkot International Airport Ltd”.
Airsial is licensed to provide both domestic and international flights. However, the airline only operates domestically with plans for expanding to international markets. Unlike Fly Jinnah, AirSial is not a low-cost airline and provides complete services, including economy and business class.
For further details, their website is a great resource, or you can reach out to them via the phone number they have provided.
Website: https://www.airsial.com/
Contact: 021-111-247-742, 021-387-320-63
Cheapest Airlines in Pakistan
We have compiled a list of the most affordable airlines operating in Pakistan, which are listed below:
Fly Jinnah
Regarding the cheapest airline, Fly Jinnah probably comes at the top. The airline was launched with the specific goal of providing inexpensive flights. Therefore, it is no wonder that Fly Jinnah is the cheapest airline in Pakistan. However, since it operates domestically only, other airlines provide affordable flights to international destinations. To keep its prices low, Fly Jinnah only provides economy class.
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
PIA is the oldest airline in Pakistan. The airline has the highest number of destinations compared to other airlines. Because of the size of its operations, PIA can provide affordable flights to many destinations. It offers multiple travel classes, including economy, business, and executive economy.
Wrap-up
To sum up, the aviation industry in Pakistan has undergone significant changes in recent years due to a rise in economic activity and a flourishing tourism sector. With the increase in domestic and international airlines, travellers now have a broad range of options catering to their varying preferences and budgets. One noteworthy player in this field is Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which has been operating since 1946 and provides an extensive network of flights, both domestically and internationally.
FAQ’s
1. What are the major airlines operating in Pakistan?
Pakistan’s best airlines include Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Airblue, Serene Air, AirSial, and Fly Jinnah, among others.
2. How can I book a flight with a Pakistani airline?
You can book a flight with a Pakistani airline through their official website, mobile apps, travel agencies, or by contacting their customer service.
3. What are the popular domestic destinations served by Pakistani airlines?
Pakistani airlines operate flights to major domestic cities such as Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, and more.
4. Which international destinations can I reach from Pakistan?
Depending on the airline, you can fly from Pakistan to various international destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah, Istanbul, Bangkok, London, and many more.
5. How early should I arrive at the airport for my flight in Pakistan?
It’s recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 to 3 hours before your domestic flight and 3 to 4 hours before your international flight to allow check-in and security procedures.
6. What is the baggage allowance for domestic flights in Pakistan?
Baggage allowances can vary by airline and fare class. It’s best to check with your specific airline for their baggage policies.
7. Can I get a refund for my flight ticket in case of cancellation or changes?
Refund policies vary among airlines and depend on the fare type and conditions. It’s advisable to review the airline’s refund policy before booking.
8. Are there any specific COVID-19 guidelines for air travel in Pakistan?
Yes, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there are guidelines and protocols in place, including mask mandates, social distancing, and testing requirements. It’s essential to check the latest travel advisories and requirements before your flight.
9. What are the contact details for customer support of Pakistani airlines?
You can find customer support contact information on the airline’s official website or by calling their customer service hotline.
10. How can I track the status of my flight in Pakistan?
You can check the real-time status of your flight by visiting the airline’s website or by using flight tracking apps available for smartphones.
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