DUBAI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has marked a new chapter in its international operations by launching a direct flight service between Lahore and Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Sunday’s inaugural flight, PK-159, departed from Allama Iqbal International Airport at 11:50AM, carrying 152 passengers, officially reviving the Lahore-Baku route after a temporary hiatus since November 2023.
A special ceremony held at the international departure lounge celebrated the event, attended by key dignitaries including Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov. Senior officials from PIA and the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority were also present.
The event included speeches, a cake-cutting ceremony, and the symbolic send-off for the passengers boarding the first flight.
Lahore-Baku
The new route will operate twice a week – on Wednesdays and Sundays – between Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) and Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD). The flight duration is approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes. With a competitive round-trip fare starting from USD 440 (excluding applicable taxes), the service is designed to attract both leisure and business travellers.
This initiative is part of PIA’s broader strategy to expand its international footprint and strengthen ties with regional allies. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the national carrier and highlighted the significance of improved tourism and diplomatic relations with Azerbaijan, which he described as one of Pakistan’s closest partners in the region.
According to Azerbaijan’s Trend News Agency, nearly 250,000 Pakistani nationals visited Azerbaijan in 2023, underscoring its growing popularity as a tourist destination among Pakistanis.
PIA takes flight
Earlier this year, PIA resumed direct flights to Paris after a four-and-a-half-year suspension, becoming the only airline offering a direct connection between Pakistan and the European Union. The revival of such international routes follows the national airline’s first reported profit in 21 years. According to Bloomberg, PIA recorded earnings per share of Rs5.01 for the year ending December 2024 – marking a significant milestone in its recovery.
PIA has also hinted at future expansions, with plans to add new international destinations including Australia, Maldives, and Hong Kong. Additionally, it is in talks to resume operations in the UK and the US, signalling broader ambitions to restore its global presence.