DUBAI: A Pakistani businessman from Abbottabad, Malek Naureed Awan, is set to launch an international low cost airline from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with its maiden flights scheduled in May, the Gulf News reported.
According to the report, MMA Airline received its Air Operator's Certificate (from the General Civil Aviation Authority) on March 14.
An air operator's certificate (AOC) is an approval granted by a national aviation authority to an aircraft operator to allow it to use aircraft for commercial purposes. This requires the operator to have personnel, assets and systems in place to ensure the safety of its employees and the general public.
Awan has invested $50 million in the venture and will commence flights from the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, where it has been registered.
"We have already acquired two Airbus A320s to start flights. Two Boeing 777-300s are expected to join the fleet when we plan to add more destinations, such as Mumbai after traffic rights are granted," the 26-year old businessman Awan told Gulf News.
This will be the first privately owned, and operated commercial airliner from the UAE.
Awan says he plans to offer flights from Ras Al Khaimah to Karachi and Lahore.
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no comments pakistanis are not given a chance in pakistan
to cater half of the working pakistan from their workplace to hometown, its a nice cab service.
It may be a shock for Mr. Awan that he would be able to commence services to Pakistan within th existing bilateral framework between Pakistan and UAE. Yes he would be free to operate as many flights as he can float within Arab world because of ACAC multilateral agreement among 16 Arabic speaking nations. As per existing bilateral arrangements betwen Pakistan and UAE, only four weekly flights can be operated to Pakistan that is two each to Peshawar and Lahore from Ras-ul-khymah. These four entitlements are already bein utilized by RAK Airways.
I hope Mr. Awan is aware of this fact that unless the two countries get together and decide to expand the existing bilateral arrangements there is no way this new airline could land anywhere in Pakistan. It would have been much better for Mr. Awan if he had registered his airline in Pakistan to fill the existing gap in domestic as well as international sector.
For all those people who do not know, this is to confirm that Parvaiz Musharraf is his co partner.
Price of one Airbus A320 is $85-95 million based on how it is configured.
yea yea.. his family money.. he used to stand in cricket presentations in practically all the uae series that have been held recently.
Must be canada lotto he got bravo
Can we please sell PIA now ,
Delighted to know ... if he is doing this on his own then we have all the reasons to be proud of Mr. Awan.
If he is a front man for "someone" ... still locals will get cheaper rates from UAE - a win win situation in both the cases :)
His surname "Awan" is exclusively pakistani surname, so he has to be pakistani.
What is Mr. Awan's original business or his family's business. If related to transportation then he would understand the basics. Best of luck to him.
@Nosherwan Shahid Shaikh: not all of us as monumental failures in life you work hard you get reward in life simple why is mian muhaamad mansha has 5 billion dollars he too did bussiness in pakistan only
Good news. Though I doubt 26 year old Pakistani businessman from Pakistan. If he is really, i m not surprised that he is a front man of someone. :)
At the point, not UAE but Pakistan needs low cost airlines to operate countrywide
At the age of 26, where did he get so much money from?
Is this guy really 26 Years old!
cheetah, great to see someone at the age 26, working so hard. keep it up.
Bravo for young aviation entrepreneurship. Wish him happy Landings & safe take offs.