RAWALPINDI/LAHORE: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to expand its domestic and international operations by launching new flights from January. The national flag carrier is adding flights to Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam and Jeddah.
A PIA spokesperson said the airline has introduced new international routes to Kuwait, Bahrain and Doha, in addition to expanding its services to Dammam and Jeddah. The airline is also expanding its domestic network with additional weekly flights between Karachi and Peshawar. A third weekly flight from Karachi to Peshawar will be part of the schedule from January 25.
The spokesperson said PIA would resume its weekly round-trip flights between Lahore and Kuwait from January 25. Additionally, two new weekly flights from Lahore to Dammam will begin on January 22.
He said additional flights will be operated from Sialkot to Jeddah from January 20. A new weekly return flight from Sialkot to Doha will begin on January 21. These new flights are part of the airline’s efforts to restore and introduce international services to and from various cities in Pakistan.
Flag carrier adds new flights to Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam and Jeddah
The spokesperson emphasized that PIA is committed to improving connectivity and ensuring convenient travel options for its passengers, both domestically and internationally.
This extension comes after the decision of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to lift the ban on Pakistani flights to EU countries. Subsequently, PIA has also resumed its services to Europe and the United Kingdom.
As part of its fleet rejuvenation efforts, PIA is working to recover aircraft that have been grounded for extended periods. Recently, an ATR aircraft that had been in storage for a long time was returned to service. With the addition of this ATR, PIA has strengthened its domestic operations, particularly on routes to Gilgit, Sukkur, Turbat and Gwadar.
PIA management is focused on ensuring punctuality, with a punctuality target set at 90 per cent, the spokesperson said, adding that the airline is currently meeting this target consistently on a daily basis.
Published in Amanecer, January 7, 2025.