Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has finalised all necessary arrangements for operating flights between Karachi and Sialkot on November 30th, said Senior Vice President Sales PIA Anwar Rasool.
Addressing a launching ceremony of PIA flights between Karachi and Sialkot held here on Friday afternoon in a local hotel he added that PIA would expand its sphere of flights including international flights with the passage of time from first ever airport established by the private sector of Sialkot. The SVP PIA lauded the efforts of the business community of this export-oriented city and hub of cottage industry of the country for showing commitment and unity on the mega project of Sialkot International Airport.
The business community especially the exporters of the area had always patronised the national carrier (PIA) and hopefully they will extend their full support and cooperation for making PIA successful, he said.
The SVP PIA further stated that currently two flights would be operated between Karachi and Sialkot adding that more flights would be announced shortly in new schedule. Speaking on the occasion Chief Executive Officer Sialkot International Airport Khawar Anwar Khawaja disclosed that international flights would be started in early next year.
He disclosed that PIA would start non-stop flight between Sialkot to Manchester, Dubai as well as Haj flights from Sialkot International Airport. Khawar Khawaja further revealed that PIA is lifting 50 to 60 tons of cargo daily and it is expected that regular flights would help PIA in lifting 70 to 80 tons of cargo from Sialkot daily while 1,300 passengers are daily travelling from Sialkot. It was also revealed in the meeting that Sialkot bound first commercial packed flight would land on Sialkot international airport on November 30th.
It may be mentioned that mega project of Sialkot International Airport completed at a cost of Rs 2.6 billion has a great significance because it was totally finance by the private sector and so far private sector had not built a project of this magnitude and size in the country even in South Asia whereas new Islamabad airport is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 20 billion by the government.