MM News

KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced to increase the number of its international flights to various countries due to increasing travelling needs.

According to the spokesperson of PIA, the flights will be increased for Afghanistan, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan. The PIA spokesperson said that the national flag-carrier will operate five flights in a week between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the first phase. In the second phase, seven flights will operate between Pakistan and Kabul on a weekly basis.

The national airline will launch direct flights to Baku from March 14. The flights will be operated twice a week from Lahore. PIA has also announced to operate direct flights to Tashkent city in Uzbekistan from March 28. The flights will be operated between Lahore and Tashkent.

The statement also reads that the country’s national airline has sought permission from Uzbekistan to operate its flights Samarkand and Bukhara.

Last week PIA CEO Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik agreed to enhance flight operation and increase the facilities for the business community and people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region for promoting tourism and other sectors.

He said currently PIA has ongoing operation of two flights which would be increased to three flights by March 28 to enhance the connectivity between Gilgit.Baltistan.

PIA is also in with Afghanistan on increasing cargo business to facilitate trade between the two countries. In this regard, PIA CEO Air Marshal (Retd) Arshad Malik met with Afghan Aviation Head, Dr Qasim Wafaizada in Kabul last week.

According to a statement, Malik discussed avenues for increasing air links between the two countries. He informed Afghan authorities that PIA was planning to start flights to/from Kandahar and Mazar Shareef and was exploring avenues for increasing air cargo operations.

Malik also met with officials of Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and proposed expanding PIA’s network to the business centers of Afghanistan.