Fly Jinnah Overtakes PIA to Become Pakistan’s Largest Domestic Airline

Fly Jinnah has officially overtaken Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to become the country’s largest domestic airline by passenger traffic, marking an important development in Pakistan’s aviation industry.

According to Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) statistics for the financial year 2024–25, Fly Jinnah carried approximately 1.97 million passengers on domestic routes. PIA transported around 1.85 million passengers during the same period.

This gave Fly Jinnah a lead of approximately 116,000 passengers over the national carrier.

The figures highlight the growing position of private airlines in Pakistan’s domestic aviation market. They also reflect the changing competitive landscape as passengers increasingly have access to multiple local carriers.

However, the development relates specifically to domestic passenger traffic. It does not mean Fly Jinnah has overtaken PIA in international passenger traffic, fleet size or total airline operations.

Fly Jinnah Becomes Pakistan’s Number One Domestic Airline

The latest Civil Aviation Authority figures place Fly Jinnah at the top of Pakistan’s domestic airline market for FY2024–25.

The airline carried 1,967,570 domestic passengers, while PIA transported 1,851,782 passengers.

The difference between the two airlines was approximately 115,788 passengers.

This achievement is significant because PIA has historically been one of Pakistan’s most prominent airlines, operating domestic and international services for decades.

Fly Jinnah, meanwhile, entered Pakistan’s aviation market in 2022 and has expanded its domestic operations since then.

Its latest passenger numbers demonstrate how quickly a private airline can grow in a competitive market.

Pakistan’s Domestic Airlines Ranked by Passenger Traffic

The Civil Aviation Authority figures show the following passenger numbers for FY2024–25:

The figures show that Fly Jinnah carried more domestic passengers than any other Pakistani airline during the reporting period.

Airblue secured third position, followed by AirSial and SereneAir.

The total domestic passenger traffic recorded in the CAA statistics was approximately 6.28 million, excluding transit passengers.

Fly Jinnah Holds More Than 31% of Pakistan’s Domestic Market

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has also published an assessment of the country’s aviation industry.

Its market analysis places Fly Jinnah’s domestic passenger market share at approximately 31.31% for FY2024–25.

PIA followed with 29.48%.

Airblue held 15.98%, while AirSial accounted for 12.94%. SereneAir represented approximately 10.30%.

These figures provide another way to understand the competitive position of each airline.

Domestic Airline Market Share

Fly Jinnah’s lead over PIA was approximately 1.83 percentage points.

This is a relatively narrow difference, which means competition between the two airlines remains significant.

The figures also show that Pakistan’s domestic aviation market is not controlled by a single airline. Several carriers account for meaningful shares of passenger traffic.

How Did Fly Jinnah Overtake PIA?

Fly Jinnah began operations in Pakistan in 2022 as a low-cost airline.

Its business model focuses on providing affordable air travel while operating scheduled domestic and international services.

The airline is associated with the Air Arabia Group and Pakistan’s Lakson Group.

Since entering the market, Fly Jinnah has developed its network and expanded its presence on important domestic routes.

Its passenger growth reflects the demand for affordable air travel in a country where long-distance road journeys can take many hours.

For passengers travelling between major cities, flights can offer a faster alternative, particularly when schedules and ticket prices are suitable.

The airline’s low-cost positioning also gives it an opportunity to attract price-conscious travellers.

However, passenger numbers alone do not reveal the full reasons behind its growth. Factors such as flight frequency, route availability, aircraft utilisation, pricing and operational reliability also influence an airline’s market position.

What Does This Mean for PIA?

PIA’s second-place position in domestic passenger traffic represents a notable change in the airline’s competitive standing.

The national carrier transported approximately 1.85 million domestic passengers in FY2024–25.

Although this placed it behind Fly Jinnah, PIA remained one of the country’s two largest domestic airlines.

The figures also need to be considered alongside the airline’s wider operational and financial challenges.

PIA has faced years of financial difficulties, operational constraints and efforts to restructure its business.

The government has pursued privatisation as part of its broader plan to change the airline’s ownership and commercial structure.

In April 2026, the Competition Commission of Pakistan approved the proposed acquisition of PIA by an Arif Habib-led consortium from a competition perspective, subject to other applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

This development could become important for the airline’s future operations.

However, the transfer of ownership and any subsequent restructuring should not be confused with the passenger traffic figures for FY2024–25.

The domestic market ranking reflects historical passenger activity, not the outcome of future management changes.

Private Airlines Are Playing a Bigger Role in Pakistan

Fly Jinnah’s rise highlights the growing importance of private airlines in Pakistan’s aviation sector.

Other private carriers, including Airblue and AirSial, also transported substantial numbers of domestic passengers during FY2024–25.

Together, these airlines provide alternatives to PIA on several important routes.

Competition can encourage airlines to improve their services, introduce suitable schedules and offer different ticket options.

Passengers may benefit from having more choices when travelling between cities.

However, a competitive aviation market also depends on several other factors.

Airlines need access to aircraft, trained staff, maintenance facilities, airport infrastructure and a stable regulatory environment.

Operating an airline involves significant costs, and maintaining reliable services requires substantial investment.

The long-term performance of private carriers will therefore depend on their ability to expand sustainably.

What About Pakistan’s International Airline Market?

Although Fly Jinnah leads the domestic market, international aviation presents a different picture.

Foreign airlines carry a significant share of passengers travelling between Pakistan and overseas destinations.

According to the reporting accompanying the latest aviation figures, Emirates, Saudi Arabian Airlines and Qatar Airways are among the leading foreign carriers operating in Pakistan.

Their international services connect Pakistani cities with major destinations in the Middle East and beyond.

Emirates operates approximately 39 weekly flights from Pakistan, while Saudi Arabian Airlines operates around 30 and Qatar Airways around 28.

Etihad Airways also maintains a significant presence, with approximately 23 weekly flights.

These figures illustrate the scale of foreign airline operations in Pakistan’s international market.

The domestic success of Fly Jinnah does not automatically translate into leadership on international routes.

International aviation involves different operating requirements, including overseas traffic rights, airport slots, aircraft capacity and competition from major global airlines.

Therefore, domestic and international market rankings should be examined separately.

Foreign Airlines Earn a Significant Share of International Ticket Revenue

Pakistan’s international aviation market also generates substantial revenue for foreign airlines.

Industry estimates cited in recent reporting suggest that foreign carriers receive nearly two-thirds of the revenue generated from international air tickets sold in Pakistan.

Emirates is estimated to generate around $1.2 billion annually from ticket sales in Pakistan, excluding cargo revenue.

Qatar Airways’ estimated annual revenue from the Pakistani market is between $800 million and $900 million.

Saudi Arabian Airlines is estimated to generate approximately $700 million to $750 million.

These are reported estimates rather than audited revenue figures disclosed by the airlines specifically for Pakistan.

The figures nevertheless highlight the economic importance of international air travel.

They also explain why strengthening Pakistani airlines could matter beyond domestic passenger competition.

A stronger local aviation industry could potentially help retain more aviation-related revenue within Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Aviation Industry Has 37 Airlines

The latest report also highlights the number of airlines providing air services in Pakistan.

According to the reported figures, the country’s aviation market includes 37 airlines, comprising five domestic and 32 international carriers.

The domestic airlines identified include:

• Fly Jinnah
• Pakistan International Airlines
• Airblue
• AirSial
• South Air

SereneAir has remained inactive since October 2025, according to the reporting.

The number of airlines operating services does not necessarily mean that all carriers have the same level of activity or market presence.

International airlines also operate under different routes and commercial arrangements.

Nevertheless, the figures demonstrate that Pakistan’s aviation sector is connected to a broad network of domestic and international operators.

Will Fly Jinnah’s Lead Continue?

Fly Jinnah’s first-place position is based on passenger traffic recorded during FY2024–25.

Whether it maintains this position in subsequent years will depend on future performance.

Several factors could influence the rankings.

Route Expansion

Adding new domestic routes or increasing flight frequency could help Fly Jinnah attract more passengers.

However, expansion must be supported by sufficient aircraft and operational capacity.

Ticket Prices

Affordable fares can attract passengers who might otherwise travel by road.

Pricing will therefore remain an important part of competition between airlines.

Operational Reliability

Flight punctuality, cancellations, customer service and baggage handling can influence passenger choices.

Reliable operations are important for retaining customers over the long term.

Competition From PIA and Other Airlines

PIA, Airblue and AirSial may also increase their operations or introduce changes to their services.

PIA’s restructuring and ownership transition could influence its future competitiveness.

As a result, the domestic market ranking may change as airlines adjust their business strategies.

What Does This Mean for Passengers?

The growth of Fly Jinnah and other private carriers provides additional competition in Pakistan’s domestic aviation market.

For passengers, competition can create more choices in terms of schedules, destinations and ticket prices.

However, the cheapest ticket is not necessarily the best option for every journey.

Travellers should compare the total cost, including baggage allowances, seat selection, airport arrangements and any additional charges.

They should also consider flight timing, cancellation policies and customer support.

Aviation market share is an important industry measure, but passengers ultimately experience the quality and reliability of individual flights.

Conclusion

Fly Jinnah has overtaken PIA to become Pakistan’s largest domestic airline by passenger traffic during FY2024–25.

The Civil Aviation Authority recorded approximately 1.97 million domestic passengers for Fly Jinnah, compared with around 1.85 million for PIA.

The Competition Commission’s market assessment also placed Fly Jinnah first, with a 31.31% domestic passenger share.

The development highlights the growing role of private airlines in Pakistan’s aviation sector.

However, the result applies specifically to domestic passenger traffic. International routes remain a separate market, where foreign airlines maintain a significant presence.

For passengers, increased competition could mean more choices and different fare options. For Pakistan’s aviation industry, the challenge will be to build reliable, financially sustainable airlines capable of competing in both domestic and international markets.