Qatar set for more aviation investments abroad

Qatar set for more aviation investments abroad

The Qatar Investment Authority is evaluating key strategic investments in Pakistan's aviation sector, specifically: Its main airports in Islamabad and Karachi — (in addition to investments in renewable energy, power and potentially hotels). This is in addition to the $2bn Pakistan will receive from Qatar in bilateral support to help ease the South Asian nation’s funding crunch and the consequent risk of a default.

Airlines, airport operators, airport on-site enterprises (restaurants and retail), aircraft manufacturers, and air navigation service providers employ 56,000 people in Pakistan. In addition, by buying goods and services from local suppliers the sector supported another 121,000 jobs.

Pakistan’s international market increased by 68% between 2010 and 2019, with over 8mn seats added.

Pakistan’s own airlines were flat in 2019 – pre-pandemic – versus 2010, with their share falling from 52% to 31% – the lowest in many years. This decline, eliminating the growth from 2014-2017, was partly from Pakistan’s third largest airline Air’s cessation. In 2018, over seven in ten of Shaheen Air’s seats were deployed internationally, mainly to the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.

Foreign airlines have inevitably strengthened their offerings, with their seats growing by 137% since 2010 – up over 8mn. Foreign airlines were solely responsible