RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has approved issuance of Tourism Promotion & Regional Integration (TPRI) licence to Alvir Airways for a period of five years till June 2026 under National Aviation Policy 2019.

A spokesman for the CAA Saad Bin Ayub said on Monday that Civil Aviation Authority Director General Khaqan Murtaza, presented the licence to Alvin Airways Chief Executive Officer Tehseen Awan at a ceremony held at Civil Aviation Headquarters, Karachi.

He said Alvir Airways intended to acquire two Embraer to begin its operations and increase its fleet by adding Embraer in future. The flights shall operate to Gwadar, Skardu and Turbat with hub stations at three major airports of Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, with the aim to promote tourism and extend regional integration.

He said the TPRI operations would facilitate locals and foreigners to explore Pakistan through safe and comfortable air transport and present a better image of Pakistan to the world.

Earlier, as part of promoting tourism, the Pakistan International Airlines had started flights from Faisalabad to Skardu with the first flight carrying 129 passengers last Wednesday.

The PIA is offering flights to Skardu not only to promote domestic tourism in the country but also to provide convenient air transport and cargo facility connecting cities in Pakistan.

PIA flights to Skardu from Faisalabad fulfilled the long-standing demand of the business community and residents of Faisalabad.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2021