Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to increase flight operations to G-B: CEO Arshad Malik

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to increase flight operations to G-B: CEO Arshad Malik

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) CEO Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik on Sunday agreed to enhance the flight operation and increase the facilities for business community and people of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) region for promoting tourism and other sectors.

“Currently the PIA has ongoing operation of 2 flights, which would be increased to 3 flights by March 28 to enhance the connectivity between G-B,” Malik said in a meeting with a delegation of Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) led by its Chairman Qurban Ali.

According to a press release issued by FPCCI here, the PIA CEO said that promotion of business culture and values, economy, investment, trade, tourism, employment generation, social welfare and people’s connectivity were the common areas of both sides for prosperous and strong Pakistan.

He said: “We want to enhance the cooperation with the business community and the community should come forward and play their due role in helping the PIA for making it more efficient and strong.”   

In meeting with the FPCCI delegation, he also vowed to start the project of a new runway at the Gilgit Airport and construction of new offices and other facilities in G-B Airport to provide facilities to the passengers and tourists coming from all over the country.

The CEO agreed to further negotiate on discount in passenger fare and other services expenditure by PIA for passengers and business community of G-B.

While in negation on flight operation for ‘devotees’ to Iraq, he said that the operation was banned due to Covid-19 pandemic situation and after the permission by Iraqi authorities, the PIA to start flight operation for Iraq. He said that after starting the operation, the national flag carrier would fully facilitie the ‘devotees’ and provide them all facilities accordingly.

He further said the financial restructuring of PIA, a new fleet of aircraft, staff training and new flight destinations were being prioritised to attract the most potential passengers from all over the world.

Malik said the PIA was going through the huge challenges in financial and technological fronts and with the support of the business community and exporters “PIA would revive its past glory and come out from all these facing challenges.”

During the pandemic situation, he said the PIA was facing big challenges and it was the responsibility of the FPCCI and all over the business community of Pakistan to come forward and play their due role in rescuing the national airline from the current situation.

He also appreciated the role of FPCCI and the business community of G-B for development of Pakistan. “The PIA will also be provided other incentives, including special discounts and a corporate package for the business community of GB region as we already provided these facilities to the business community of Afghanistan,” he added. APP