Skardu and Gilgit saw massive flight operations, at par with major cities of Pakistan on Tuesday when nearly 16 PIA flights operated to and from both the cities. PIA operated eight flights each to Gilgit and Islamabad airports in a day, the highest number of flights ever operated in a day in the country’s history.
The airport saw continuous flights in a video released by the official spokesperson of PIA that depicted flights arriving while a flight departing in the background making northern areas skies busy.
The PIA spokesperson called the expansion in operations in line with the vision of the prime minister to promote tourism in Pakistan. He said that to fulfil the vision and in the greater national interest, PIA is making all-out efforts to provide convenient travel services to the people of the region and to promote domestic tourism in Pakistan. PIA’s role is instrumental in the development of these areas which rely heavily on air connection due to difficult surface network. However, he added that all passengers were made to follow strict standard operating procedures issued by the government amid the third wave of the COVID-19.
The spokesperson said that PIA has offered affordable fares considering the socio-economic considerations of this route. He mentioned that the response so far has been encouraging with flights operating to capacity.
“The spike in temperatures in other parts of the country and the fact that you can get to extremely pleasant weather and breathtaking views with convenient air travel lasting minutes, is enticing people all across the country, especially Karachi to take these flights. Previously this journey lasted days and required extensive planning and finances,” said the spokesperson.
