CAA Suspends Serene Air Operations Over Fleet Safety Violations
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has suspended Serene Air’s Air Operator Certificate with immediate effect after the airline failed to maintain the mandatory minimum fleet size and currently has zero serviceable aircraft available for operations.
The suspension, announced on Friday, October 3, 2025, has grounded all of Serene Air’s domestic and international flights, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded, particularly in Saudi Arabia.
URGENT ALERT FOR UMRAH TRAVELERS
If you have booked Umrah flights with Serene Air, DO NOT TRAVEL until alternative arrangements are made.
Why the Suspension Happened
According to the official CAA notification, Serene Air has failed to maintain the required operational standards and currently does not have even a single airworthy aircraft available for service.
The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority declared that the airline was “incapable of sustaining the operational capacity required to conduct safe air operations,” thus rendering it unfit to continue services under aviation safety regulations.
The suspension covers both domestic and international operations. The order, signed by the Director of Flight Standards, directs Serene Air to surrender its Air Operator Certificate immediately for endorsement.
Passengers Stranded in Saudi Arabia
The suspension has left many passengers stranded in Saudi Arabia after one aircraft was grounded due to a bird strike incident.
A Serene Air official stated that “passengers are stuck in Saudi Arabia due to the grounded aircraft, and we have requested the CAA to allow us to bring them home.” The airline has requested special permission from PCAA to operate rescue flights to repatriate affected travelers.
Despite the suspension, some travel agents were reportedly still selling tickets, raising concerns over consumer protection.
Fleet Status and Technical Issues
According to sources, Serene Air’s entire fleet of seven aircraft—consisting of Boeing 737-800 and Airbus A330-200 aircraft—has been declared unserviceable.
Serene Air management explained that one of its aircraft had been grounded in Saudi Arabia after a bird strike incident, while multiple other aircraft are awaiting engine replacements.
Reports indicate that four engines have been sent to Finland for repairs, but no timeline has been provided for when aircraft will return to operational status.
CAA’s Official Statement
PCAA spokesperson Air Commodore (retd) Shahid Qadir confirmed the public announcement but gave no further detail.
However, a senior PCAA official told The Express Tribune the airline was repeatedly warned to restore part of its fleet or face action. “They failed to comply, leaving us no choice but to suspend the AOC and issue a public notice so people are aware,” he said.
Regulatory Requirements
Under Pakistan’s National Aviation Policy, airlines must maintain:
- A minimum of five airworthy aircraft registered in Pakistan for international flight operations
- A minimum of three airworthy aircraft registered in Pakistan for domestic operations
Serene Air’s failure to meet these requirements triggered the mandatory suspension.
Routes Affected
The suspension impacts all of Serene Air’s operations, including:
Domestic Routes:
- Karachi-Islamabad-Karachi
- Islamabad-Lahore
- Islamabad-Quetta
- Lahore-Quetta
- Lahore-Peshawar
- Services to Multan, Faisalabad, and other cities
International Routes:
- Pakistan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan to Madinah, Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan to Dubai and Sharjah, UAE
- Pakistan to Beijing, China
Serene Air’s Response
The airline has acknowledged the situation and claims it is working to resolve the technical issues.
Company Statement:
- One aircraft grounded in Saudi Arabia due to bird strike
- Multiple aircraft awaiting engine replacements
- Four engines sent to Finland for repairs
- Intent to resume operations once aircraft are airworthy
- Request for special permission to bring stranded passengers home
About Serene Air
Serene Air is the first Chinese private investment in Pakistan’s aviation sector and the first private Pakistani airline to operate flights to Beijing.
The airline was launched in 2017, just months after receiving its license from the CAA in October 2016, with three Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline quickly won attention for promising efficiency, comfort, and reliability, expanding operations across major cities including Lahore, Quetta, Peshawar, Faisalabad, and Multan.
The airline is owned by Dr. Yunchun Yang, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of California and is also founder and president of a listed semiconductor company in China with subsidiaries in Sweden and the USA.
Impact on Aviation Sector
Pakistan’s aviation sector now remains limited to Pakistan International Airlines, Airblue, and Fly Jinnah, which together serve major domestic routes and select international destinations.
The suspension reduces competition on key routes, particularly to Saudi Arabia, which is crucial for Umrah and Hajj pilgrims.
Historical Context: Shaheen Air Collapse
Pakistan’s aviation sector has faced similar setbacks before. Shaheen Air International, once the country’s second-largest airline, ceased operations in October 2018 after a financial collapse and unpaid dues of Rs1.5 billion to PCAA.
The airline’s owners fled abroad to evade legal action, leaving employees unpaid and passengers stranded, exposing deep-rooted flaws in the aviation sector.
Possibility of Reinstatement
The source added that Serene Air’s license may be reinstated if aircraft are restored to operational status and a formal request for revival is made.
For operations to resume, the airline must:
- Restore at least 3-5 aircraft to airworthy status
- Pass CAA safety inspections
- Submit formal application for AOC reinstatement
- Demonstrate financial capacity for sustained operations
- Meet all PCAA compliance requirements
No timeline has been provided for potential resumption of operations.
What Passengers Should Do
For Future Bookings:
- Contact your travel agent immediately
- Request full refund or alternative airline booking
- Keep all booking documentation
- Monitor official CAA announcements
For Stranded Passengers:
- Contact the Pakistani Embassy in Saudi Arabia
- Contact your travel insurance provider
- Keep all receipts for accommodation and expenses
- Document the situation for potential compensation claims
Alternative Airlines: Passengers can book with:
- Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
- Airblue
- Fly Jinnah
- Saudi Airlines (Saudia)
- Emirates (via Dubai)
- Qatar Airways (via Doha)
- Etihad (via Abu Dhabi)
Latest Developments
This is a developing story. Updates will be posted as more information becomes available from the Civil Aviation Authority and Serene Air management.
Key Questions Remain:
- When will stranded passengers be brought home?
- What compensation will affected passengers receive?
- How long will the suspension last?
- Is the airline financially viable for long-term operations?
