Shaheen Air
A privately owned Pakistani scheduled airline that linked major domestic cities with destinations across the Gulf before suspending operations in 2018.
About Shaheen Air
Shaheen Air was founded in 1993 and developed into one of Pakistan’s prominent privately owned scheduled airlines. It began with links to the Shaheen Foundation before passing into private ownership and operated under the Shaheen Air International identity for much of its history. The carrier used the IATA code NL and ICAO code SAI. Its commercial operations were suspended in 2018, so it should now be regarded as an inactive airline rather than a bookable carrier.
The airline operated a multi-hub network rather than relying on a single dominant gateway. Lahore handled the greatest number of recorded departures, followed by Peshawar, Islamabad, Karachi and Dubai. Its 48 routes connected 16 destinations across 7 countries, combining important domestic services within Pakistan with international links to the Gulf. Notable overseas cities included Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Dammam, Sharjah, Al Ain and Doha.
The Boeing 737-400 was among the aircraft types used on Shaheen Air’s network, particularly for short- and medium-haul services. The airline operated as a conventional scheduled carrier, with cabin arrangements and onboard inclusions varying by aircraft and route. Economy was its principal product, while premium seating was offered on selected services during parts of its operating history. Because operations have ceased, historical cabin descriptions should not be treated as current booking information.
Shaheen Air was not a member of Star Alliance, SkyTeam or Oneworld. It therefore did not provide the alliance-wide earning, redemption and reciprocal status benefits available through the major global groupings. The airline promoted customer benefits during its operating years, but there is no active frequent-flyer programme that travellers can presently use. Former membership balances, benefits or account services should not be assumed to remain available.
Shaheen Air’s main strength was a network tailored to travel between Pakistan and Gulf markets, including routes useful to expatriate workers, families and religious travellers. Its presence also added competition on major domestic corridors. The decisive limitation is that the airline suspended flying in 2018 following financial and regulatory difficulties. Any website, timetable or fare listing bearing its name may be obsolete, and travellers should not attempt to book without confirming that the seller and operating airline are legitimate.
Good to know
Flying with Shaheen Air — what to expect
Operations Remain Suspended
Shaheen Air suspended commercial flying in 2018 and is not currently a normal bookable airline. Treat old schedules and fare pages as historical information.
Verify Every Listing
Do not pay for a Shaheen Air itinerary unless a reputable seller clearly identifies a currently licensed operating carrier. Archived or stale booking pages can remain visible online.
Historical Baggage Rules
Former baggage allowances may no longer be valid. For replacement flights, check the operating airline’s current cabin-bag dimensions, weight limits and checked-baggage conditions.
Pakistan Gulf Focus
The former network was particularly useful for travel between major Pakistani cities and Gulf destinations. Current travellers should compare other airlines serving the same regional markets.
No Alliance Benefits
Shaheen Air did not belong to a major global airline alliance. There are no current alliance privileges or active Shaheen Air loyalty benefits to apply to a journey.
Network overview
Where Shaheen Air flies
Shaheen Air operates 48 routes to 16 destinations across 7 countries, its longest sector reaching Jeddah to Lahore (3,654 km nonstop).
Destinations served
Cities Shaheen Air flies to, most-served first.
Main hubs
Busiest departure bases, by route count.
Fleet
Aircraft types on record for these routes.
Longest nonstop route
Jeddah → Lahore
3,654 km · JED → LHE
The longest sector in the Shaheen Air network, measured as the great-circle distance between the two airports.
Route data · TravelPayouts route data · updated 2026-07
Route network
Popular routes operated by Shaheen Air
Notable destinations on Shaheen Air's network.
NLLahoredirectNLPeshawardirectNLIslamabaddirectNLKarachidirectNLDubaidirectNLJeddahdirectNLAbu DhabidirectNLMuscatdirectNLDammamdirectNLSharjahdirectNLAl AindirectNLDohadirectDestination list is indicative of Shaheen Air's network; see the airline's official route map for its complete, current schedule.
More from Pakistan
Other airlines based in Pakistan
FAQ
Shaheen Air — frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the details travellers usually check first, from codes and locations to the practical basics that help with planning.
8 common questions
- Lahore was Shaheen Air’s busiest departure hub, with Peshawar, Islamabad, Karachi and Dubai also serving as important operating bases. The airline suspended commercial operations in 2018.
- Shaheen Air’s longest recorded route was Jeddah to Lahore, covering about 3,654 km nonstop. The airline no longer operates this service.
- The busiest departure points were Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad, Karachi and Dubai, in that order by number of routes. No current Shaheen Air departures are scheduled.
- Shaheen Air served 16 destinations across 7 countries on a network comprising 48 routes. These figures describe its recorded network before operations were suspended.
- Shaheen Air formerly connected Lahore, Peshawar, Islamabad and Karachi with destinations including Dubai, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Dammam, Sharjah, Al Ain and Doha. It is not currently operating scheduled flights.
- Shaheen Air has no current carry-on allowance because it is not operating scheduled services. Historical limits should not be relied upon; passengers booking an alternative should check the operating carrier’s current size and weight rules.
- Originfacts compares live fares from hundreds of airlines and travel agencies via its partner Travelpayouts and never adds a fee. Because Shaheen Air is inactive, results are more likely to show currently operating airlines serving comparable routes.
- Shaheen Air tickets are not currently available through a normal operating schedule. For comparable Pakistan–Gulf journeys, fares are often lower when booked outside major holiday and pilgrimage periods, but prices should be compared across active airlines.