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PIA launches international flights from Sialkot International Airport

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PIA launches international flights from Sialkot International Airport
January 20, 2019


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Pakistan International Airlines aircraft on the runway at Sialkot International
Airport.

National flag-carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Sunday launched direct international passenger flights from Sialkot International Airport (SIAL) to Europe.

PIA and SIAL together hosted a launch ceremony at the airport with Minister for Aviation Mian Muhammad Soomro presiding over the event. As PIA flight PK-720 carrying 300 passengers from Paris via Barcelona touched down in Sialkot, it was accorded a water cannon salute by aviators and ground staff.

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PIA flight PK-720 being given a water cannon salute.

The passengers were given a warm welcome by Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Youth Affairs Usman Dar, SIAL Chairman Nadeem Qureshi, Provincial Minister for Special Education Chaudhry Muhammad Ikhlaq, senior PIA officials and travel industry leaders.

Soomro then formally launched PIA's Europe-bound flights from SIAL, with PK-769 departing for Paris and Barcelona.

Senior PIA officials said that during the initial stage, PIA will run direct flights between Paris, Barcelona and Sialkot once a week, and the number of flights to other European countries will be increased soon.

Soomro, while addressing the participants of the ceremony, praised the spirit and struggle of Sialkot's business community, which established Asia's first-ever private sector airport, SIAL, on a self-help basis and then went on to establish a private airline, AirSial, also through their own means.

He said the government was making sincere efforts to ensure the provision of international standard and advanced aviation facilities for passengers at all airports across Pakistan.

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Minister for Aviation Mian Muhammad Soomro pictured cutting the ribbon to mark the launch of PIA's flights to and from Europe.

The aviation minister also took the opportunity to give a nod to the city's exporters whom he termed as "the jewels of the nation's economy". He recognised their pivotal role in strengthening the economy and boosting exports, earning precious foreign exchange to the tune of US $2 billion annually.

SIAL Chairman Nadeem Anwar Qureshi said the success of the international airport had built trust and boosted the confidence of foreign airlines.

He said after the successful flight operation conducted by Saudi Arabia's private international airline, Saudi Gulf Airline, direct passenger flights between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan would also be launched by the official airline, Saudi Arabian Airlines, very soon.

The chairman added that as many as 55 international passenger flights will take off to foreign destinations from SIAL, a number which will soon see an increase due to the growing number of passengers.
 
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PIA starts London to Sialkot flights

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LONDON: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will run Sialkot-London-Sialkot from 10th of September this year, it is said in an official statement of PIA.

Initially, this route will be operated once-a-week from Sialkot to Heathrow London every Tuesday whereas the flight from Heathrow London to Sialkot will arrive every Wednesday, PIA’s country manager in UK Siraj Qazi confirmed. The route will provide direct point to point service to Sialkot city and shortest approach to Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Kharian, Gujrat, Jhelum and adjoining areas.

It is worth mentioning that this new-fangled rout will be more significant for the Sikh Yatris who are planning to participate in the celebration of 550th Birthday of Baba Guru Nanak Dev ji. The Sikh pilgrims are likely to opt Sialkot airport route to start their holy pilgrims through visiting Kartarpur Gurdwara with proximity of around 100 kilometers.

According to the schedule issued by PIA, the PIA flight number PK777 will depart at 10:15 am from Sialkot on every Tuesday and will arrive at Heathrow Airport London at 14:50 local time. Flight number PK778 will depart from Heathrow at 18:25 pm and will arrive at Sialkot International Airport at 06:25 Wednesday (next day).

Siraj Qazi said that for the new route, flights will be operated with B773-772 aircraft which has specially been decorated for the new International route operation. He said that PIA started the new route after lots of consultations and feedback from customers. He hoped the new route will help Pakistan’s tourism industry and more people will be likely travelling to Pakistan as most British Pakistanis in Britain originate from the areas close to Sialkot.
 
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Sialkot is a hub for sports goods this will also boost exports goverment need to help profitable industries and start ups.
 
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