The Lahore-Baku flight of PIA is another step closer to success.
After a two-year break, Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first direct flight to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, was warmly received at the international airport as the airline continues its quest for glory.
Ambassador Qasim Mohyuddin, Airport Director Taimoor Hassan, and Transport Minister Rushd Nabi welcomed PIA’s first flight and hailed the passengers and crew, according to a statement released by PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan.
To make it a special occasion, a cake was cut on board, and the passengers were given presents and cell phones through a drawing. Later, flight PK-159 departed for its return trip.
As part of its continuous efforts to increase international connections and promote tourism, the PIA has started operating direct flights to Baku again.
The return of direct PIA flights between Lahore and Baku was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday, who described it as a major turning point for travel and regional connectivity between the two nations.
“It is a major milestone for tourism and regional connectivity between our brotherly countries that PIA has resumed direct flights between Lahore and Baku after a two-year hiatus,” the prime minister said on his X timeline.
According to him, Shahida Ismail’s leadership of the inaugural flight served as a proud reminder that Pakistani women were still successful in many spheres, including aviation.
The prime minister had earlier hailed Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) recent financial success as a “major turnaround” following decades of losses.
“More excellent news! Thank God! After decades of deficits, PIA is expected to report its first profit in 20 years, marking a significant turnaround. The prime minister tweeted, “Inshallah, the skies ahead look brighter!” on his X timeline.
GO FOR GLORY
To commemorate the flight’s departure, a special ceremony was held earlier at Allama Iqbal International Airport’s international departure lounge.
“We are witnessing the positive results of diplomatic efforts recently made by the government,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said during the Lahore launch ceremony.
“Under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, the economy is on a path of development and progress,” the minister declared.
The event also featured a cake-cutting ceremony and was attended by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Khazar Farhadov, Defense Secretary retired Maj. Gen. Aamir Ashfaq Kayani, and others.
Baku is recognized as the “Europe of Asia” and is renowned for its architecture, culture, and food, according to the PIA administration.
Direct flights from Lahore to Baku (Azerbaijan) will begin operating on April 20, according to the PIA. The airline would run two weekly flights on the new route, leaving on Sundays and Wednesdays, according to the statement.
In addition to fostering bilateral trade and tourism between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, the airline is dedicated to making this new route commercially feasible, according to a statement.
GWADAR SKIES ARISING
On Friday, January 25, the maiden flight from the newly constructed Gwadar International Airport to Muscat gave Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) a reason to celebrate.
The inaugural flight (PK-197), with 39 passengers on board, took off for Muscat days after a PIA flight landed at the airport, which marked the launch of operations at the facility.
On Jan 20 last, the first PIA flight landed at the airport. The flight PK-503 departed at 9:50am from Karachi and landed at 11:15am in Gwadar.
The inaugural flight received a water-cannon salute on its arrival.
RESUMPTION OF EUROPE FLIGHTS
Back on Jan 10, the PIA had a moment of pride when its ‘big bird’ sailed in the skies for the first direct flight to a European country after a hiatus of more than four years.
The PIA flight PK-749 took off for Paris with its near-optimum passenger capacity. It carried more than 300 passengers on the momentous journey.
Federal Aviation Minister Khawaja Asif, accompanied by French Embassy staff, cut the ribbon to mark the celebratory event at the Islamabad airport.
Earlier, there was quite a buzz at the New Islamabad International Airport, from where PIA’s first flight to Europe after the resumption of the route took off.
Recently, a meeting of the UK Air Safety Committee was held to evaluate the five-year ban on Pakistan’s national and other airlines.
The ban was imposed in July 2020 by the UK and European aviation authorities following the revelation of the fake pilot license scandal.
Pakistani authorities expressed optimism that the restrictions would be lifted anytime, paving the way for the PIA to resume operations.
