PIA launches 2nd flight from Islamabad to Doha

E-Paper | October 04, 2026

PIA launches 2nd flight from Islamabad to Doha

Dawn.com Published December 2, 2018

Around 150 passengers flew from Islamabad to Doha in PK-287, says press release.

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Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has launched a second flight from Islamabad to Doha, the national flag carrier said in a press release on Sunday.

According to the statement, around 150 passengers flew to Doha via flight PK-287 at 1pm today.

PIA said that the launch of the new Islamabad-Doha route was "warmly welcomed by the general public, especially the business community".

Qatar's policy allows Pakistani nationals to obtain a 30-day visa on arrival.

PIA Chief Executive Officer Arshad Malik congratulated the employees and lauded their "efforts towards revival and progress" of the national airline.

He said that PIA had received "encouraging feedback" and announced that the airline would soon launch flights on the Lahore-Bangkok and Sialkot-Barcelona routes.

The airline is looking to expand its business and is working towards its rebranding. Last month, the PIA had recommenced flights to Muscat and Sharjah from Lahore and Sialkot respectively.

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Pakistan

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I want to see PIA dominate the skies again

Salman

Dec 02, 2018 06:00pm

Good work

Recommend 0

Mansur Ul Haque

Dec 02, 2018 06:06pm

Flights are increasing. We are interested to know how much losses are reduced.

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Sadeeq Khan

Dec 02, 2018 06:29pm

It is encouraging and appreciated. In fact, PIA should start direct flights to many other cities including Manila, Philippines.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 02, 2018 07:45pm

Great move by PIA. However, as long as PIA does not buy at least 25 to 30 brand new aircrafts either from Airbus Industries or Boeing Corporation, they can't compete with other airlines in the region and rekindle its old legacy of "Great People to Fly With" as one of the top airlines in the world.

Recommend 0

Jamil Soomro, New York City

Dec 02, 2018 07:48pm

My congratulations to PIA on finally gaining stability in its operations.I enjoyed several years of flying N.Y-KHI Route.Excellent Pilots,Food and Service.

Recommend 0

Javed

Dec 02, 2018 07:59pm

When will PIA start its 'first flight' to USA?

Recommend 0

yaaz81

Dec 02, 2018 08:17pm

Sadly there are no PIA flights from largest city Karachi to Doha. They should have considered that rather than increasing flights from Islamabad.

Recommend 0

Tanny

Dec 02, 2018 08:38pm

Please start a flight from lahore to Stockholm also.

Recommend 0

LAHORI KID

Dec 02, 2018 08:52pm

I like to read about PIA launching a new system, with new management, new attitude, new mentality, a recipe for success. Current situation will not be overcome by adding more flights, it only adds more insult to injury.

Recommend 0

Shafaqat

Dec 02, 2018 09:06pm

Great step. We don't have any alternative Qatar airways whose tickets are very expensive. Competition bodes well for the general public. If PIA could improve their service, I am sure a lot of us would prefer flying by national flag carrier.

Recommend 0

Sahmad

Dec 02, 2018 09:06pm

Keep it up PIA.

Recommend 0

Fareed N

Dec 02, 2018 09:10pm

Only way to make PIA profitable, get rid of Freeloaders, the political appointees.

Recommend 0

ARIF UR RAHMAN

Dec 02, 2018 09:58pm

Great. Appreciated.

Recommend 0

Kas

Dec 02, 2018 10:06pm

Improve quality of your planes maintenance and services for passengers!!

Recommend 0

Ammar

Dec 02, 2018 11:06pm

Bravo!

Recommend 0

Vikas

Dec 02, 2018 11:24pm

With the number of aircrafts PIA has I suppose one or more routes may have been closed down for this flight.

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Imad khan

Dec 03, 2018 12:05am

@Javed, there is a flight from New York

Recommend 0

Javed

Dec 03, 2018 12:46am

@Sadeeq Khan, what about Tambakto.

Recommend 0

Zeeshan Arshad

Dec 03, 2018 12:47am

Good sign and PIA also should look flying again towards Australia like Sydney and Melbourne

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 03, 2018 01:06am

Put honest men on top and the organisation runs profitabily

Recommend 0

ABE

Dec 03, 2018 01:59am

A simple matter as this, makes headlines for PIA. This is how low the airline has sunk! Qatar Airways launched non-stop service from Doha to Rio and Mexico City and didn't grab front-page news in either countries. Emirates flies from Dubai to Aukland, New Zealand, non-stop 17 hour flight. Yet it is not celebrated as a big national event!

Recommend 0

Dr Mahmood Ahmad

Dec 03, 2018 02:04am

Qatar Airways, the best 5 star airline has 2 daily flights from Islamabad to Doha Anthony always have plenty of vacant seats.

Recommend 0

Sid

Dec 03, 2018 03:24am

When is PIA buying it’s first NEW a380 and 787? - the day that happens PIA will be back

Recommend 0

Faisal

Dec 03, 2018 03:39am

PIA should open Karachi to New York iconic route asap. Why should Pakistanis spend their money on other airlines? We want to see our flag carrier at the JFK airport along with other airlines of the world. Also, Karachi/Lahore to Chicago flight either once or twice per week is a very strong business case. So many of us have to travel with other airlines on this route. Link Chicago to Detroit and other nearby cities by making arrangements with US domestic airlines. This way Pakistanis living in Chicago, Detroit and Windsor, Canada can benefit a lot.

Recommend 0

Justice

Dec 03, 2018 04:45am

How can u start a second flight when u can’t even perform the first flight properly or even other international and internal flights. Don’t run before u can walk.

Recommend 0

Riaz murtaza

Dec 03, 2018 04:48am

Recently flew Lahore Toronto on PK. I saw quite an improvement in service. Smiling and helpful cabin staff fresh scented blankets. Only issue food was very very spicy. Never seen such spicy on board any flights through out my 73 years age.

Recommend 0

Omar

Dec 03, 2018 05:52am

Until they cut the staff by 50% and at the same time double up in aircraft as well as flight time ,along with implement stringent measures to incorporate modern aviation practices and eliminate corruption , there is no hope for PIA.

Recommend 0

anwarsher

Dec 03, 2018 06:34am

PIA should limit its flights to Middle East. That will greatly help Pakistani living in Europe, USA and other regions. It takes sometimes more than 20 hours to get to Peshawar or Islamabad once one arrives Emirates, Qatar, etc.

Recommend 0

N Abidi

Dec 03, 2018 07:02am

How about hiring well trianed professional people's on merits! Trianed staff that make sure that planes are safe! The pmln and PPP currupt ministers families needs to fired! Safety of public should be the top priority of PIA!

Recommend 0

Dr Patel

Dec 03, 2018 07:15am

When did the "first’ flight left for Doha? Did it return?

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Dr Patel

Dec 03, 2018 07:17am

@Mansur Ul Haque, every flight of PIA casts the p8blic huge bums of money. It is better the planes are grounded —- then we will be paying only for the salaries of the 600,000 PIA employees.

Recommend 0

M. Emad

Dec 03, 2018 08:56am

No PIA 2nd flight launch from Pakista to Bangladesh.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 03, 2018 12:06pm

@Sadeeq Khan, good idea, this will enhance trade to new places.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 03, 2018 12:11pm

PIA needs to downsizeby getting rid of safarishees, mafia groups within, bettermaintenance, ensure control tower staff are properly qualified, weed out drug carriers within their steward staff and always fly on time. Then we will be back in the game.

Recommend 0

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