Foreign airlines now carry more than 65 percent of Pakistan’s international passengers, reflecting a significant shift in the country’s aviation market over the past two decades.

Data from the Gallup Pakistan Digital Analytics Aviation Dashboard show that in 2023-24, foreign carriers transported 65.09 percent of international passengers traveling to and from Pakistan.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) accounted for 18.90 percent, while other Pakistani airlines collectively held 16.01 percent. Together, domestic carriers now control roughly one-third of the international market.

In 2006-07, PIA alone carried 42.84 percent of international passengers, and other Pakistani airlines held 6.73 percent. Foreign airlines accounted for 50.43 percent at that time. Domestic carriers collectively controlled nearly half of the market compared to about 35 percent today.

The data indicate a sustained decline in PIA’s market share and a steady expansion by foreign airlines. Private Pakistani carriers have grown but have not matched the reduction in PIA’s international operations.

The report notes that higher reliance on foreign airlines results in a larger share of international ticket revenue flowing abroad. It also highlights challenges within the domestic aviation sector, including fleet limitations, regulatory issues, financial constraints, and operational reliability.

The analysis covers international passenger traffic from 2006-07 to 2023-24.