When people think of Emirates today, they picture one of the world’s largest and most luxurious airlines, operating hundreds of aircraft across six continents. However, few people know that the airline’s historic first flight in 1985 was deeply connected to Pakistan and was operated with major support from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
The story has recently resurfaced online, with aviation enthusiasts and social media users highlighting how Pakistani pilots, engineers, and aviation staff played an instrumental role in helping Emirates launch its operations during its earliest days.
Emirates’ first-ever flight
Emirates officially launched operations on October 25, 1985. Its inaugural service, flight EK600, departed from Dubai and flew to Karachi, making Pakistan the airline’s very first destination. According to Emirates’ official records, the flight was commanded by Pakistani pilot Captain Fazle Ghani Mian, who had been seconded from PIA to assist the newly established airline.
At the time, Dubai was seeking to establish its own international airline, but the operation was still in its infancy and required technical expertise, trained manpower, and aircraft support. PIA, then regarded as one of Asia’s leading airlines, stepped in to assist.
Emirates itself has acknowledged this historical connection. In a 2015 statement marking the airline’s 30th anniversary, the company confirmed that its first aircraft, an Airbus A300 B4 and a Boeing 737, arrived in Dubai on wet lease from PIA just days before the inaugural flight.
Pakistani crew behind the launch
Captain Fazle Ghani was not the only Pakistani aviation professional involved in the project. Reports indicate that around 100 pilots, engineers, maintenance personnel, and operational staff from PIA traveled to Dubai in October 1985 to help Emirates prepare for launch operations. The team conducted test flights, planned operational procedures, and ensured that the airline was ready to begin commercial services.
In interviews shared by Emirates and regional publications over the years, Captain Ghani recalled arriving in Dubai on October 1, 1985, where he met with Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Emirates’ first Managing Director, Maurice Flanagan, to discuss preparations for the airline’s launch.
“I was blessed to be with very competent professionals to lay the foundation of Emirates,” Captain Ghani said in a commemorative video released by Emirates.
Another Pakistani pilot, Captain Ejaz ul Haq, was also reportedly part of the cockpit crew during the inaugural Karachi flight.
PIA’s role in training and aircraft support
Beyond manpower, PIA also provided operational infrastructure to the new airline. Aviation reports and historical accounts state that Emirates cabin crew received training at PIA’s training center in Karachi before launch operations began.
The aircraft used in Emirates’ early operations were also leased from PIA. Historical aviation records show that the airline initially operated only two leased aircraft while building its fleet and route network.
This support reflected PIA’s strong position in global aviation during the 1970s and 1980s. At the time, PIA was widely respected in the region and had already established itself as a leading international carrier with extensive experience in long-haul operations, pilot training, and aviation management.
Over the years, several aviation experts and commentators have pointed to PIA’s contribution to Emirates as an example of Pakistan’s once-prominent standing in the aviation industry.
Remembering Captain Fazle Ghani
Captain Fazle Ghani remained closely associated with the story of Emirates’ launch throughout his life. In 2021, tributes poured in after news emerged that the veteran pilot had passed away following a prolonged illness.
Regional media outlets described him as Emirates’ “first chief pilot” and credited him with helping oversee the airline’s earliest flight operations.
According to reports, Ghani had been delegated by PIA specifically to assist Dubai in setting up the airline. His work included helping train Emirati pilots and establishing operational standards during Emirates’ launch phase.
Even decades later, Emirates continued to recognize his contribution. In anniversary features released by the airline, Captain Ghani’s role in the inaugural flight and the airline’s founding operations was highlighted as an important chapter in Emirates’ history.
From humble beginnings to global aviation giant
The story is particularly remarkable considering Emirates’ current global stature. What began in 1985 with two leased aircraft and a small operational team has since transformed into one of the world’s largest international airlines.
Today, Emirates operates a massive fleet including Airbus A380s and Boeing 777 aircraft, serving destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and Australia. The airline has become one of Dubai’s most globally recognized brands and a major player in international aviation.
Yet despite its modern success, the airline’s earliest days remain linked with Pakistan’s aviation sector and the Pakistani professionals who helped get the operation off the ground. For many aviation observers, the story serves as both a historical milestone and a reminder of the expertise Pakistan once contributed to regional aviation development.
The inaugural Emirates flight to Karachi on October 25, 1985, therefore represents more than just the beginning of an airline. It also reflects a lesser-known chapter of cooperation between Dubai and Pakistan, one in which Pakistani pilots, engineers, and aviation staff played a direct role in helping launch what would eventually become one of the world’s most successful airlines.
