The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has grounded Serene Air for failing to meet key safety and operational standards. The decision, confirmed in an official notification on Friday, immediately halted all domestic and international flights.
According to the CAA, the airline currently has no airworthy aircraft and must return its Air Operator Certificate. Officials said the suspension came after repeated non-compliance with mandatory safety rules for commercial flight operations.
Serene Air’s management linked the disruption to technical problems. They explained that one of their aircraft was grounded in Saudi Arabia after a bird strike. The company has requested permission from the CAA to operate special flights and bring stranded passengers back to Pakistan.
Serene Air Statement
In a statement released after the CAA’s decision, Serene Air confirmed that its flight operations were “temporarily suspended.” The airline said it was working closely with relevant authorities and partners to resume services as soon as possible.
“Our team is fully committed to resolving the issue quickly and efficiently,” the statement read. “This is a temporary pause, and our top priority remains the safety, comfort, and trust of our passengers.”
The suspension has left travelers worried, as Serene Air previously operated several local and international routes. Analysts believe the grounding could disrupt Pakistan’s already tight aviation network, especially during peak travel seasons.
Meanwhile, the airline’s leadership has been working to secure its long-term stability. Earlier, Serene Air’s owner and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Yunchun Yang, met President Asif Ali Zardari in Kashgar, China, to discuss the company’s future expansion.
During the meeting, President Zardari urged the airline to expand its fleet and strengthen Pakistan’s air connectivity both regionally and globally. According to the President’s Secretariat, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, and the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan also attended the discussion.
Dr. Yang, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, also leads a semiconductor firm in China with operations in Sweden and the United States. He assured the president that he remains committed to investing further in Pakistan’s aviation sector through Serene Air.
As the first Chinese private investment in Pakistan’s airline industry, Serene Air represents a key milestone in bilateral cooperation. The airline also works with the Pakistan Air Force on avionics projects for the JF-17 fighter jet, highlighting its growing technological partnership with the country.