Key Takeaways
- No airline in Pakistan met the legal on-time departure standard in 2026.
- Only 67.5% of flights departed on time, down from 68.4% in 2025.
- Civil Aviation Authority imposes fines and penalties for flight delays and cancellations.
In 2026, Pakistan's airlines failed to meet the legal on-time departure standard, according to a two-year performance report. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) reported that only 67.5% of flights departed on time, a significant drop from 68.4% in the previous year.
The CAA has initiated action against airlines that did not meet the benchmark. Two out of the five airlines met the required standard on flight cancellation rules in 2024, but this improved performance did not carry over to 2026.
Under the law, airlines are required to ensure that at least 80% of their flights depart on schedule. The CAA has started issuing show-cause notices and fines for violations, with penalties of up to Rs1 million for flight delays or cancellations.
To enforce compliance, the CAA is now deducting fine amounts from airline deposit accounts. This measure aims to ensure airlines adhere to the legal standards and improve overall service quality.
The report highlighted that the performance of Pakistan's airlines has been consistently below the required standard. The CAA's actions are part of a broader effort to address the issues and improve the air travel experience for passengers.
