Dubai: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has launched weekly flight on Al Ain-Turbat route.
The weekly flight will provide direct link to Pakistani expats from Balochistan living in Al Ain, UAE to remote Turbat city in Balchistan Province of Pakistan. The new route will help Pakistani expats reach their home with ease. The flight on ATR aircraft will be operated once a week on every Thursday.
Faisal Niaz Trimzi, Pakistan Ambassador to UAE officially inaugurated the new route at Al Ain International Airport on Wednesday. PIA also operates two weekly flights on Al Ain-Islamabad route.
Tremendous potential
“With the launch of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Al Ain airport to Turbat, Baluchistan, we see tremendous potential for further collaboration,” he said.
“We feel that there is a need to enhance the number of flights by including other destinations, especially Peshawar and other major cities,” emphasised the Ambassador.
Al Ain-Peshawar route
Since most Pakistani expats living in Al Ain are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provice (KPK), community demand PIA to resume Al-Ain-Peshwar route.
“Al Ain-Peshwar route which had been been in operation since April 1994, was changed to Al Ain-Islamabad sector in November 2023 but it has caused more inconvenience to expats who live in remote areas of KPK as they have to travel long distances by road to reach their destinations,” said Rahim Khan, a long time resident of Al Ain.
Ambassador Tirmizi also met with CEO Abu Dhabi Airports Elena Sorlini at Al Ain International Airport on the sideline of the ceremony.
He highlighted that Pakistan’s strategic location between South Asia and the Middle East offers vast opportunities, especially in tourism for Emiratis and other nationals residing in UAE.
“We are committed to expanding flight connectivity from Al Ain airport to other cities in Pakistan and appreciate the CEO’s offer of assistance in this endeavour,” he added.
Full support
Elena Sorlini, CEO Abu Dhabi Airports, thanked the Ambassador and his team for attending the event held to promote flights activities from Al Ain airport and offered her support in increasing the number of flights from Al Ain airport to various cities in Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by Sultan Al Dhaheri — Senior Vice President Government Relations; Sharifa Al Kathiri, Head of Retail Servicesand Mahwish Khan, Senior Manager Aviation Development, Abu Dhabi. Tariq Gulzar, Area Manager PIA; Nasrullah Khan Bangash, PIA Manager in Al Ain and other senior officials were also present at the event.