Air Punjab project not shelved as Punjab plans to lease six aircraft

Punjab Secretary of Transport Imran Sikandar Baloch said there was no plan to cancel the proposed provincial airline. He explained that work had slowed down due to the Iran-US conflict and the resulting increase in fuel costs.

Punjab government rejects reports of project closure

The government has rejected reports suggesting that the Air Punjab project has been shelved. Officials say preparations are continuing despite the challenges affecting the aviation sector.

Baloch said the regional situation had affected the project's progress, but the government remained committed to launching its own airline. He added that practical work was still underway.

Required aviation licence obtained

The Punjab government has already obtained the required licence from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This is an important step towards starting the proposed airline.

According to the transport secretary, the government has also started the process of arranging aircraft on lease. These preparations are part of the airline’s initial launch plan.

Six aircraft planned for first phase

The provincial government plans to lease six aircraft during the first phase of Air Punjab. These planes will be used to begin the airline’s operations.

The leasing process has already been initiated, although officials have not announced a final launch date. The project will move forward as the remaining preparations are completed.

Regional conflict and fuel prices cause delays

The Iran-US conflict and rising oil prices have created difficulties for the aviation industry. Higher fuel costs can increase airline operating expenses and make new projects more expensive.

However, the Punjab government says these challenges have only delayed the project rather than stopped it. Officials have maintained that Air Punjab remains part of the provincial government's plans.

The government's statement shows that it still wants to establish a provincial airline. However, rising fuel prices and regional tensions may make the project more costly.

Leasing six aircraft is an important step, but the airline still needs to complete its preparations before starting operations. The actual launch will depend on how quickly these arrangements are completed.

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