The Punjab government has confirmed that Air Punjab will officially launch its first commercial flight in April 2026, with a fleet of seven passenger aircraft dedicated to domestic routes for the initial two years. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif is expediting preparations for the airline's launch amidst controversy surrounding the purchase of a Gulfstream G500 luxury jet, valued at approximately ₹1 billion. Critics, including former federal finance minister Miftah Ismail, have raised concerns about the economic viability of such an aircraft for airline operations, questioning the justification for its acquisition given the reported extravagant spending. The Punjab Information Minister, Azma Bukhari, has defended the decision, asserting that the aircraft is part of the fleet for Air Punjab and not intended for VIP use.