Pakistan

Market overview

Pakistan is a large market with a big diaspora, and it is coming out of years of restriction. Its seven main airports handled about 26.8 million passengers in 2025, led by Karachi (8.5 million), Islamabad (7.9 million) and Lahore (6.9 million). Most traffic is international, much of it to the Gulf. Two changes are reshaping the market. First, approvals have been restored: EU regulators lifted their ban on Pakistani airlines, and the PIA Islamabad–Paris service restarted in January 2025, followed by the UK on 16 July 2025. Second, PIA was privatised in December 2025, when a consortium led by the Arif Habib Group bought 75% for Rs135 billion (US$482 million). The new owners plan to add more than 30 aircraft by December 2028 and to bring in a foreign airline as technical partner. The 2026 Middle East conflict and jet fuel spikes forced PIA to cut some routes. For suppliers, there is demand for leasing, heavy maintenance, cabin refits, IT and training.

Key facts

• About 26.8 million passengers at seven main airports in 2025: Karachi 8.5 million, Islamabad 7.87 million, Lahore 6.86 million (Feb 2026).
• PIA privatised in December 2025: 75% sold for Rs135 billion (US$482 million), valuing the airline at Rs180 billion (Apr 2026).
• The new owners plan to invest about Rs112 billion (US$400 million) (Apr 2026).
• Fleet plan: 10 aircraft in 2026, 10 in 2027 and 16 more by December 2028 (Apr 2026).
• The UK removed Pakistan from its Air Safety List on 16 July 2025, after EU regulators lifted their ban (July 2025).

Key figures

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).

Did you know

Pakistan is one of the world's most populous countries, with a large overseas community that flies home often.