Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the provincial authorities to expedite the operational launch of the new airline, Air Punjab, terming it a major step toward improving regional connectivity and boosting provincial development.
The directive came during a high-level review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister to assess progress on the Air Punjab project, which is part of the government’s broader plan to enhance transportation infrastructure and provide affordable travel options for citizens.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on the current status of the airline project, including regulatory approvals, route planning, and aircraft acquisition strategies. During the meeting, it was agreed that Air Punjab’s initial flight operations will begin on the Lahore–Islamabad route, marking the airline’s formal debut in the domestic aviation market.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that the project should not face unnecessary bureaucratic delays and instructed the concerned departments to ensure rapid implementation of all pending operational and technical requirements.
She further directed that modern and comfortable aircraft be acquired on lease to provide passengers with a high-quality travel experience comparable to national and international standards. The Chief Minister noted that Air Punjab would not only create new employment opportunities but also promote economic activity and tourism within the province.
Sources said the airline aims to connect major urban centers such as Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi, with eventual expansion to other domestic destinations and possibly regional international routes in the future.
During the session, the Chief Minister also reviewed the Murree Glass Train Project, another tourism-focused initiative designed to enhance public transport and attract visitors to the hill station. The project envisions a scenic glass-roof train offering panoramic views of the Murree landscape.
Officials briefed the Chief Minister on design and feasibility aspects of the project, and she instructed them to accelerate the remaining stages of planning and execution.
Maryam Nawaz reiterated that her administration is committed to modernizing Punjab’s infrastructure and providing world-class travel facilities to citizens. She said projects like Air Punjab and the Murree Glass Train symbolize the province’s “vision for innovation, accessibility, and progress.”
Analysts see the move as part of Maryam Nawaz’s broader development and governance agenda, aimed at strengthening Punjab’s transport network, promoting tourism, and positioning the province as a hub for investment and economic activity.
If executed on schedule, Air Punjab could become Pakistan’s first provincial-level airline, operating under public-private partnership models with the goal of ensuring safe, affordable, and efficient air travel for the people of Punjab.
