PIA to start Islamabad-Gwadar direct flights soon

KARACHI - Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced direct flight service from Islamabad to Gwadar to increase its air traffic.

Gwadar port under CPEC agreement will move towards completion this year and soon will become the economic and tourism hub of Pakistan. So, PIA authorities are trying to take maximum advantage out of it.

By the end of March 2017, the national airline was facing a loss of PKR 319.1 billion, but now adding a lucrative destination is expected to give the failing airline a boost.

Recently, PIA suspended flights to New York because of which the airline suffered a loss of Rs1.5 billion per year.

Chief Executive Officer of PIA Musharraf Rasool Cyan said, “We would connect Islamabad and Gwadar by the end of this year. Being the national carrier, we feel the responsibility for improving connectivity through Pakistan.”

Moreover, the new Islamabad airport will also start its operation in the first half of this year, which will cater to the passengers and tourists from Europe, China, and Africa.

Currently, the national flag carrier flies to around 110 destinations each day with a fleet of just 36 aircraft; but now the concerned authorities are planning to expand it to 44 carriers in the next three years.

PIA also plans to extend its operations to DG Khan and Lahore from Islamabad in 2018.