SIALKOT, Nov 20: The federal government has granted permission to five international airlines to start direct passenger and cargo flights from Sialkot International Airport.

Chairman Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) Muhammad Hanif Khan disclosed this while talking to newsmen here on Tuesday. SIAL Vice Chairman Adnan Sarwar Kapoor and general manager Muhammad Nawaz Chaudhary were also present on this occasion.

Khan said Qatar Airways, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Etihad Airways and Emirates would start their flight operations from Sialkot soon.

Meanwhile, an advanced Air Freight Unit (AFU) has already started functioning at the airport to facilitate exporters, importers and cargo agents.—Our Correspondent