KARACHI: The first direct flight of Azerbaijan Airlines from Baku landed at Karachi airport in the wee hours of Friday morning.

According to a press release issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft was presented with a traditional water cannon salute on arrival at the Jinnah International Airport.

The flight crew and around 90 passengers were warmly welcomed by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, Industries Minister Ikramullah Dharejo, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan’s chief executive Zubair Motiwala, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Iftikhar Ahmed and officials of the Foreign Office.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov was also present to greet the inaugural flight.

Azerbaijan Airlines is already operating directs flights to Islamabad and Lahore and it expanded its direct flight operation to Karachi by starting two weekly flights.

CAA presents traditional water salute to maiden flight from Baku

Governor Tessori termed it a historic achievement for both the nations and said that the direct link between Baku and Karachi would boost trade, tourism and bilateral relations.

He said that Pakistan-Azerbaijan bilateral trade volume was $ 10 million that has witnessed a three time growth after start of direct flight operation.

He hoped that air connectivity with the biggest city of the country would help bolstering the trade relation between the brotherly countries.

“Karachi is not only economic and financial hub of Pakistan but it is gateway to a number of tourist places,” he said and hoped that it would help strengthening people to people contacts as well as tourism in both the country.

Ambassador of Azerbaijan Farhadov said that direct flights would open new avenues for bringing people of both the brotherly countries more closer who were tied in bonds of brotherhood from centuries, according to an APP report.

“We are historically very close and leadership of both the countries had taken significant steps to develop a mechanism for bringing people of both the countries closer,” he said adding that it would contribute to strengthen bilateral relations of Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

On a question, he said two drafts of preferential trade agreement and transit trade agreement were under constitution between both the countries and our trade will increase more and more.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador Farhadov called for strengthening bilateral trade relations and said that Pakistan could invest in fields of services, textiles and information communication technologies.

Talking to TDAP chief Motiwala, he underscored the mutual benefits that could be realised through enhanced cooperation in these sectors, says a press release on Thursday.

Mr Motiwala echoed the sentiment of fostering closer economic ties between the two nations.

He emphasised that direct flights between the two countries would not only facilitate smoother business transactions but also significantly boost trade and tourism.

Published in Dawn, April 20th, 2024