ISLAMABAD: PIA plans to operate international flights and more domestic flights to/from Gwadar on the completion of new Gwadar Airport. This was stated by CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik during his visit to Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI).

CEO PIA was welcomed by RCCI President Muhammad Nassir Mirza along with office bearers and members of the business community. During the meeting, members of the RCCI requested CEO PIA for having direct flights from Islamabad to Gwadar, USA and Europe and also to have more frequencies of flights to Afghanistan.

CEO PIA assured the business community to look into the requests and to operate flights based on demand prospects and keeping in view the commercial viability of flights. He said that due to no proper refueling set up at Gwadar and shorter runway the flights to Gwadar are operated via Karachi. He said that flights to Europe and USA were dependent on the removal of restrictions imposed. "All formalities have been completed from our side and we are waiting for the approval."

CEO PIA also made clear that Roosevelt Hotel is not being sold and never under consideration for selling. He said that with the support and patronage of Government of Pakistan, the outstanding loan dues of the hotel have been paid by the Government of Pakistan and had ownership of the hotel.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020