New budget airline Fly Jinnah to be launched in Pakistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) – Middle Eastern budget carrier Air Arabia and Pakistan's business conglomerate Lakson Group announced on Friday they would launch Fly Jinnah, a new low-cost airline in Pakistan.

The new carrier will operate as a joint venture, and serve domestic and international routes from Pakistan, a statement said.

"Fly Jinnah will serve the strategic vision of Pakistan's travel and tourism sector and contribute to the country's economic growth and job creation," the readout said.

Iqbal Ali Lakhani, the chairman of Lakson Group, said they are excited to partner with Air Arabia in launching the new low-cost carrier, and the partnership "reflects our commitment to support the development of Pakistan's air transport sector."

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Thani, the chairman of Air Arabia, said Fly Jinnah "will add value to the air transport sector of Pakistan and directly contribute to the local economy."

Earlier, he met Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan in the capital Islamabad and briefed him on the project. In a tweet, Khan welcomed the initiative, saying that his government "is committed to attracting investment in Pakistan's burgeoning travel & tourism sector which offers immense opportunities."​​​​​​​