Shaheen Air
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Airline |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Founder | Shah family |
| Defunct | 2018 |
| Fate | Ceased operations due to financial difficulties |
| Headquarters | Karachi , Pakistan |
Area served | Pakistan, Middle East |
| Products | Passenger, freight, and charter flight services |
Number of employees | 5000 (approximate, before closure) |
Shaheen Air International () was a privately owned airline based in Pakistan, with its main office situated at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. Established by the Shah family, it ranked as the country's second-largest airline until its closure in 2018 due to severe financial difficulties. The airline had accumulated debts exceeding billion to the Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan (CAA) and had outstanding salary payments to its workforce.
The carrier provided passenger, freight, and charter flight services connecting key urban centers within Pakistan and destinations across the Middle East. All flight operations were halted in October 2018.
History
Initiated in 1993 by the Shaheen Foundation, Shaheen Air soon expanded by launching Shaheen Air Cargo to manage small-scale, urgent shipments. In its early years, the company encountered financial challenges, partly because it offered a 50% discount on fares to both retired and active military personnel and faced elevated expenses linked to operating a limited fleet of wet-leased aircraft.
From December 1999 through May 2000, the airline experienced losses amounting to Rs 60 million and had outstanding payments of Rs 70 million owed to the CAA for services rendered during that timeframe.
On 22 May 2004, Shaheen Air was temporarily grounded by the CAA due to unpaid fees; however, operations resumed three days later after a partial settlement was made. That same year marked a rebranding effort, introducing a new visual identity and corporate website.
The airline developed its own maintenance division named Shaheen Engineering and Aircraft Maintenance Services (SEAMS), which provided servicing not only for Shaheen Air's fleet but also for other airlines.
On the international front, Shaheen Air operated flights linking Pakistan with several Middle Eastern cities, including three distinct routes serving Riyadh.
Despite holding the position as Pakistan's second-largest airline following Pakistan International Airlines, ongoing financial decline resulted in its designation as a defaulter by both the PCAA and FBR. Flight operations were suspended by the PCAA in October 2018, followed by the closure of all company offices by November of that year.
Investor speculation and company dissolution
Reports indicated that an undisclosed Saudi Arabian investor was anticipated to assist in reviving airline services by January 2019. Nonetheless, the airline’s proprietors eventually left the country amid escalating debts. Although approximately 5,000 employees protested over unpaid wages spanning several months, as of February 2019, no formal inquiries had been initiated by authorities such as the Federal Board of Revenue, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, or Federal Ministry of Aviation.
Destinations
By July 2018, Shaheen Air maintained operations to various domestic and international locations. However, all routes were discontinued in October 2018 due to financial insolvency. In January 2019, the airline officially declared it would not recommence flights.
Fleet
Currently, two Airbus A320-200 aircraft are held in storage. Following the suspension of operations, all other leased airplanes were handed back to their owners. Pakistani aviation regulations mandate that passenger carriers maintain a minimum of three aircraft, a criterion not fulfilled by Shaheen’s two stored planes. Several neglected aircraft remain abandoned at Jinnah International Airport. On 26 January 2020, a Boeing 737-200 bearing the registration AP-BIS was completely destroyed by fire. Additionally, two former Shaheen Air Airbus A330s have since been integrated into the fleet of SereneAir.
Former fleet
- Boeing 737-200
- Boeing 737-400
- Boeing 737-800
- Boeing 767-200ER
- Airbus A300B4-203
- Airbus A319-100
- Airbus A320-200
- Airbus A330-200
- Airbus A330-300
- Tupolev Tu-154M
- Yakovlev Yak-42D
- Boeing 747-200
Accidents and incidents
- 22 April 2012 – The main landing gear of a Boeing 737-400 operating as Flight 122 collapsed upon landing in Karachi; all 122 passengers and six crew members escaped injury.
- 24 September 2015 – Flight 791, a Boeing 737-400, mistakenly took off from a taxiway instead of the designated runway at Sharjah; no damage was reported.
- 23 November 2015 – During an improperly executed landing, the landing gear of Boeing 737-400 Flight 142 failed, resulting in injuries to ten passengers. The captain was subsequently found to be under the influence of alcohol.
- 26 January 2020 – A Boeing 737-200 with registration AP-BIS was destroyed by fire at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport.