RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a 14pc discount on domestic flights and a 73kg free baggage allowance per passenger for the 73rd Independence Day. The seven-day Jashan-e-Azadi offer is starting from Aug 7, 2020.

Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said in a press release that PIA will start flights for Sukkur, Multan and Gwadar from different parts of the country from Aug 14, 2020.

“PIA is operating special flights on discounted fare for Gilgit and Skardu during Independence Day’s holidays to promote tourism in the country. The discounted fare offer will be valid from Aug 7 till 14. PIA is alsooffering a 14pc discount on flights operating on domestic routes between Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore with 73kg free baggage allowance per passenger in the package,” the statement said.

He said the PIA has made alternate arrangements to operate flights for the United Kingdom and Europe, while the flight schedule for Paris has also been released.

PIA flights for Paris will operate from Islamabad on Aug 15 and 16 while a PIA flight from Paris to Islamabad will operate on Aug 29, and another flight will depart from Islamabad to Paris on Aug 30.

“Due to the government’s efforts, alternate arrangements were made to operate flights for the UK and Europe,” he added.

Meanwhile, an Aviation Division spokesman said on Wednesday that there were a total of 850 active pilots whose licences were issued by Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2020