PIA revives 8 international routes for enhanced connectivity

PIA revives 8 international routes for enhanced connectivity as Senate was told in response to a query.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed operations on eight international routes in the past six months, as revealed by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in response to a question from Senator Kamran Murtaza. The reinstated routes include Islamabad-Paris, Turbat-Sharjah, Turbat-Al Ain, Gwadar-Muscat, Quetta-Jeddah, Faisalabad-Jeddah, Faisalabad-Madinah, and Lahore-Kuwait. After a hiatus of four years and five months, flights between Islamabad and Paris have resumed, now operated by Boeing 777 aircraft.

Flights between Turbat and Sharjah, as well as Turbat and Al Ain, were reintroduced after four and five months, respectively, using ATR aircraft. The Gwadar-Muscat route, inactive for 13 months, has also been reinstated, serviced by the same aircraft type.

The Quetta-Jeddah route, which had been suspended for three years and four months, is now operational again with Airbus A320 aircraft. Similarly, flights from Faisalabad to Jeddah and Madinah, which were unavailable for the same period, have resumed using A320s. The Lahore-Kuwait route, suspended for seven months, is also back in operation with A320 aircraft.

According to the minister, these route restorations are aimed at enhancing international connectivity and addressing prolonged disruptions in flight services.