Punjab government’s ‘Air Punjab’ airline now has a take-off date as the schedule for operations has been reported by some media outlets.

According to reports quoting government sources, the province’s own airline will begin operations with its first flight scheduled for April.

Reports also said that the airline will only operate domestic flights for two years and could later expand operations to international destinations.

While the existing helicopter of the Punjab chief minister will also reportedly be included in the airline’s fleet, officials were quoted as saying that the move will help avoid placing any additional burden on the national exchequer as both existing and newly purchased aircraft will be used on a fully commercial basis to ensure profitability.

Meanwhile, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari confirmed that the government plans to establish a fleet for Air Punjab, which reports said could initially include as many as seven aircraft.

Some planes are being purchased while others will be acquired on lease, the minister said during a presser days after it was reported that the provincial government recently acquired a Gulfstream G500 aircraft for VIP transport.

Bearing American registration number N144S, the aircraft has been purchased at a cost of Rs10 billion. Flight history data shows that the seven-year-old aircraft arrived in Lahore on December 28, travelling from Bangor in North America to the Egyptian city of Hurghada before landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.

The aircraft remained grounded at the airport in Lahore for approximately 40 days, during which, reports said, it underwent interior refurbishment and decoration. The jet made its first flight within Pakistan on February 6, flying from Lahore to Multan. Since then, using the call sign “PUNJAB2”, it has operated multiple flights from Lahore to Quetta, Mianwali, Sialkot and Rawalpindi.

 

While the aircraft is still operating under US registration and private ownership, reports said, it is also likely to be used for both passenger services and official travel if and when included to the Air Punjab fleet.

As part of a broader initiative, whenever the chief minister travels using the airline, the standard fare will be paid, maintaining transparency and commercial viability, reports said.