LAHORE: The Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) first (direct) flight to Istanbul left Lahore on Tuesday.

Aviation and Railways Minister Khwaja Saad Rafique saw it off and also cut a cake to celebrate the occasion.

According to a spokesperson, the national flag carrier will now operate six weekly flights from Pakistan to Istanbul, from where Pakistani passengers will be able to fly to 28 cities in Europe, the UK and the USA under PIA-Turkish airlines code-share.

“PIA has commenced flights to Istanbul on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and Turkiye this year,” he said and added that the PIA would operate four weekly flights from Islamabad and two from Lahore.

“The PIA flight on arrival at Istanbul airport was given a water salute. The CEO Turkish airlines Bilal Uksi and Istanbul authorities warmly welcomed and greeted PIA CEO Amir Hayat and passengers at the aircraft. Mr Uksi said the people of Pakistan were their brothers and they would do whatever they could for the progress of PIA,” the spokesperson said.

He said various agreements were finalised between the PIA and the Turkish airlines as both would cooperate in the areas of food services, cargo and engineering.

The minister said Pakistan and Turkiye had strong brotherly relations and the flight operation to Istanbul would further improve people-to-people contact. He said the PIA was making efforts to improve its services and expand its network for the convenience of passengers.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2022