KARACHI, Sept 1: The Shaheen Air has been allowed to fly to destinations in UK and US as a result of a recent change in the aviation policy by the defence ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority.

Farooq Nasir, an airline’s spokesman, said the Shaheen Air was the only private sector airline which has been allowed to fly to US with three weekly flights. The airline has also been given permission to extend 13 additional flights to the UAE, nine to Oman, six to Kuwait and one to Qatar.

The airlines spokesman said they were expecting to get permission to operate seven flights per week to India, three to Canada, six to Saudia Arabia, four to Cyprus and two weekly flights each to Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, subsequent upon expansion of a bilateral framework with other countries”, Farooq added. 

According to the spokesman, Shaheen has finalized market research and conducted feasibility studies for route expansion and intends to operate to USA and UK by this winter.

To serve this purpose, Shaheen is considering various long-haul, fuel- efficient, wide-bodied, modern and comfortable aircraft.

The major part the aircraft deal is expected to be finalized within next two months, he added.