ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines commenced on Friday its direct flight from Multan to Jeddah, with PK-739 carrying passengers taking off from the Multan airport for Saudi Arabia.

The passengers were seen off by Aviation Secretary and PIA Chairman Mohammad Ali Gardezi and senior officials of the airline.

The airline is offering two direct flights a week -- Multan-Jeddah on Friday and Multan-Madina on Saturday.

The PIA chairman said the airline had fulfilled a longstanding demand of the residents of Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan and adjoining areas. He said that with the completion of a new terminal at the Multan airport, PIA would operate more international flights from the city.

Mr Gardezi said the PIA management was trying to make the national carrier a profitable entity by achieving the revenue target and reducing cost without compromising on service standards.

The airline has increased frequency of its flights to Toronto and Kuala Lumpur, with four flights each week.

He said PIA had acquired four aircraft on damp lease and was in the process of acquiring five additional fuel-efficient and narrow-body aircraft whose delivery would start from April. Five more aircraft will be added to PIA fleet later.

Mr Gardezi said the airline was planning to increase the number of flights on its existing routes and add new destinations to its network. This would be based purely on commercial viability of flights, he added.—APP