WEBDESK: During a press meeting on Saturday, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said the provincial government had approved the launch of a new airline by the name of ‘Air Punjab.’ Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has officially approved the project, setting the stage for a new era of domestic travel in the country.
During a meeting chaired by the Chief Minister in Lahore, the ‘Air Punjab’ project was formally presented, with a decision to immediately lease four Airbus aircraft. Maryam Nawaz directed that arrangements be made to establish Air Punjab as the country’s best airline.
“The approval for it was given by [Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz] sahiba in a meeting a few days ago,” said Azma Bokhari in the press conference.
Air Punjab will begin by offering domestic flights, using four Airbus planes leased for the launch phase. After completing one year of operations, Air Punjab plans to expand its services internationally, making it a key player in Pakistan’s aviation industry. Special orders have been given to ensure Air Punjab becomes the country’s top airline with modern aircraft and excellent service.
Speaking to the media, Azma Bokhari said, “This is a proud moment for Punjab. Air Punjab will soon be ready to provide its services across Pakistan, bringing convenience and connectivity to the people.”
When will Air Punjab launch?
As of now, no specific date has been given for the completion of the project. However, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari announced that “Air Punjab” will become operational within the next eight months to a year.
“This service would begin in a minimum of eight months and at the most, a year,” said Azma Bokhari.
The Punjab chief minister has ordered the completion of the formalities of licensing and leasing, according to Bokhari.
“No one had even thought of launching their own provincial airline,” she added.
Bullet train announcement
Along with the Air Punjab announcement, the Punjab government also approved Pakistan’s first bullet train project.
Announcing the second plan, Azma Bokhari said, “Pakistan’s first bullet train, which will operate from Lahore to Rawalpindi, will take the [travellers there] in two hours and 20 minutes.”
This high-speed train will connect Lahore and Rawalpindi, cutting travel time to about two and a half hours. Different high-speed routes across Punjab are also being planned, including lines from Lahore to Shahdara, Narowal, and Faisalabad to Chak Jhumra.
The session also reviewed the Lahore Yellow Line and the Gujranwala Mass Transit Line projects. Instructions were issued to complete the Yellow Line project study – from Thokar Niaz Baig to Harbanspura – by May 30, while the Gujranwala project study has a deadline of June 15. Updates were also provided on the e-taxi project.
