Fly Jinnah to fly to Abu Dhabi from Karachi on 28 November, Islamabad and Lahore from 1 December

Fly Jinnah will start direct flights to Abu Dhabi from Karachi on 28 November 2026, followed by Islamabad and Lahore on 1 December, ProPakistani reported. Each route will run five times a week, giving the low-cost airline 15 weekly flights between Pakistan and the UAE capital.

The schedule

Departure times and launch fares had not been published with the announcement. Check the airline's own website or app before you book.

Why it matters

The UAE is home to more than a million Pakistanis, and Abu Dhabi, its capital, employs large numbers of them. Many budget travellers heading there fly into Sharjah or Dubai and go on by road; a direct service into Abu Dhabi saves that trip and adds another low-cost choice on the route.

More seats usually mean lower fares, especially in December and early January, when families travel for the winter holidays and workers fly home. Lahore and Islamabad passengers gain the most, since they have had fewer direct low-cost choices into Abu Dhabi than Karachi.

The launch continues Fly Jinnah's expansion in the Gulf. In September it opened a Karachi to Riyadh route, whose first flight left with 146 passengers (our story).

Before you fly

• Baggage: low-cost tickets often include only cabin baggage. Check what your fare includes, since checked bags bought at the airport cost far more than online.
• Visa: Pakistanis need a UAE visa arranged before travel. Make sure your passport has at least six months left on it; our passport fee calculator shows the cost of renewing it.
• Money: the dirham was at about Rs 75.36 on Monday (AED to PKR). Use our currency converter to work out what your spending money comes to in rupees.