Fly Jinnah echoes in National Assembly as parliamentarians hail low-cost carrier

The fares are low with the planes are in good condition, says Aviation Minister Saad Rafique

ISLAMABAD:

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.

Also read: Fly Jinnah airline begins flight operations

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.