National carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Bangladeshi carrier Biman Airlines on Monday signed a “landmark” agreement to streamline air cargo movement between the two countries.
According to a statement from a PIA spokesperson, the agreement will come into force from December 1 this year. Under the agreement, the main Saudi cities of Jeddah, Medina and Riyadh would be used as transit gates.
“This partnership will establish a strategic corridor for regional trade,” the statement reads. “The agreement will reduce logistical complexities in the transportation of valuable raw materials such as textiles, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products.
“Through the extensive networks of the national airlines of both countries, quality and cost-effective cargo solutions will be provided,” the statement added.
On October 4, PIA announced that it would resume flights to the United Kingdom from October 25, with non-stop flights from Manchester to Islamabad.
The previous day, Pakistan’s High Commission in London announced that the national airline would resume flight operations to the UK when PIA received its Foreign Aircraft Operating Permit from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and Third Country Operator approval.
