SIALKOT: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) on Wednesday started its direct international passenger flight between Sialkot and London.

The aviation and ground staff presented the water cannon salute to the PIA aircraft that landed at the Sialkot International Airport.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar, SIAL chairman Nadeem Anwar Qureshi and senior officials accorded warm welcome to the 107 passengers of PK-778. Later, PIA’s flight (PK-777) with 294 passengers took off for London.

Earlier, the PIA had started direct international flights from Sialkot to Barcelona (Spain) and Paris (France).

Senior PIA officials said that initially the PIA would operate direct international flights between Sialkot and London once a week and later the number of flights to European countries would be increased.

Usman Dar lauded the exporters for establishing an international airport on a self-help basis. “The Sialkot exporters have established their own private airline Air Sial setting a unique example of self-help for others to follow,” he said.

He said the government was making sincere efforts to ensure the provision of international standard and advanced aviation facilities to the passengers at all the airports.

SIAL chairman Nadeem Anwar Qureshi told the participants that the success of the local airport had helped it win trust and confidence of the foreign airlines as well. He pledged to provide the best facilities to the passengers.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2019