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Quick answer: Yes. When Emirates launched in 1985, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) wet-leased it two aircraft, an Airbus A300B4 and a Boeing 737-300, sent around 100 pilots, engineers and aviation staff to Dubai, and trained Emirates’ first staff. A PIA captain, Fazle Ghani, flew Emirates’ very first flight, EK600 from Dubai to Karachi.
Today Emirates is one of the biggest airlines in the world, and PIA is often in the news for all the wrong reasons. So it surprises a lot of people to learn that PIA actually helped get Emirates off the ground. It is not just a WhatsApp forward. It is real aviation history, and here is how it happened.
How PIA Helped Launch Emirates in 1985
When Emirates Airline was set up in Dubai in 1985, it had funding and a vision, but no planes and no experienced crew of its own. The new airline turned to Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which at that time was considered one of the leading airlines in Asia and the Middle East.
Key Facts About PIA’s Role in Starting Emirates
- PIA provided two aircraft on wet lease (plane plus crew) to Emirates at its launch:
- An Airbus A300B4
- A Boeing 737-300
- Staff and expertise: PIA dispatched roughly 100 pilots, engineers and aviation staff to Dubai, along with technical and operational support.
- Training: Emirates’ first staff were trained at PIA’s Ground Training School, and PIA helped train the first batch of UAE national pilots.
- Management support: PIA’s experience in flight operations and maintenance helped Emirates set up its early systems.
Emirates’ First Flight Was Flown by a PIA Captain
On 25 October 1985, Emirates flight EK600 took off from Dubai to Karachi. It was the airline’s very first flight, operated with the Airbus A300B4 leased from PIA.
In command was Captain Fazle Ghani, a senior PIA pilot who served as Project Director and Chief Pilot for the launch. He had arrived in Dubai on 1 October 1985 to prepare. Another PIA pilot, Captain Ejaz ul Haq, flew Emirates’ Mumbai flight the same day. Emirates launched with flights from Dubai to Karachi, Mumbai and Delhi, and before the official launch, the team carried out demonstration flights on 23 and 24 October 1985.
Captain Ghani later described that first flight as more than just a take-off: it was the start of a dream. He has since passed away, but his name remains part of Emirates’ founding story.
Timeline: From Two Planes to a Global Giant
- March 1985: Emirates is set up in Dubai with USD 10 million in start-up funding provided by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum is chairman and Maurice Flanagan becomes the first managing director.
- October 1985: The two PIA aircraft arrive in Dubai.
- 25 October 1985: First flight EK600, Dubai to Karachi, flown by Captain Fazle Ghani.
- December 1985: A Boeing 727-200 from the Dubai Air Wing joins the fleet.
- 1996: The Boeing 777 arrives, a turning point in Emirates’ growth.
Why Emirates Turned to PIA
- In the 1970s and 1980s, PIA had a strong reputation for trained personnel and operational efficiency.
- Pakistan and the UAE shared close diplomatic and economic ties, making PIA a natural partner.
The Ironic Turn
- Emirates, with smart management and heavy investment, grew to become one of the world’s top airlines.
- PIA, on the other hand, faced financial crises, political interference and operational decline in the 1990s and 2000s.
- Today Emirates is a global powerhouse, while PIA is still working to regain its past glory.
The story is often shared on Pakistani social media with a mix of pride and sadness. Pride, because Pakistani aviators helped build one of the world’s best airlines. Sadness, because the student went on to outgrow the teacher.
Fun Fact
Even today, aviation enthusiasts in Pakistan proudly point out that Emirates’ first ever flight was commanded by a Pakistani pilot and landed in Karachi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did PIA really help Emirates?
Yes. In 1985 PIA wet-leased Emirates two aircraft (an Airbus A300B4 and a Boeing 737-300), sent around 100 pilots, engineers and staff to Dubai, and trained Emirates’ first staff.
Who flew Emirates’ first flight?
Emirates’ first flight, EK600 from Dubai to Karachi on 25 October 1985, was commanded by PIA’s Captain Fazle Ghani, who was also Project Director and Chief Pilot for the launch.
Which aircraft did PIA lease to Emirates?
PIA leased an Airbus A300B4 and a Boeing 737-300 to Emirates. The A300B4 operated the first flight to Karachi.
What was Emirates’ first destination?
Karachi. Emirates’ first flight, EK600, flew from Dubai to Karachi on 25 October 1985, with flights to Mumbai and Delhi also launched the same day.
