RAWALPINDI: Syria’s private airline has sought permission to operate flights from Damascus to Karachi using Airbus A-320.

However, Pakistani authorities are consulting with the stakeholders before granting permission to the airline.

A press release issued by the Aviation Division on Tuesday said Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan held a meeting with Syrian Ambassador Radwan Loutfi in Islamabad during which the latter pledged to make aviation relations between the two countries stronger.

The ambassador was of the view that his country was very important for religious tourism as more than 25,000 to 30,000 Pakistani pilgrims visited Syria every year. But there are no direct flights between the two countries.

The ambassador said Syria wanted to start direct flights on Karachi-Damascus route to facilitate the Pakistani pilgrims.

The minister said on Feb 4 the Aviation Division had received a request from Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, saying Cham Wing airline, intended to operate flights to Pakistan.

He said the airline had also submitted a schedule for three weekly flights on the Damascus-Karachi route using A-320 aircraft.

The minister informed the ambassador that the airline would be granted permission after consulting all stakeholders.

An Air Services Agreement between Pakistan and Syria was signed on July 23, 1954.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2019