In a series of tweets, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced discounted fares for various domestic flights. In an attempt to promote tourism, PIA has also announced its discounted fares for a one-way ticket from Islamabad to Gilgit starting from Rs.6,915. “Time to admire the highest peaks in the world in Gilgit!!,” PIA tweeted.
Time to admire the Highest peaks in the world in Gilgit!!
Book Now: https://t.co/zzPi4NyCFA#PIA #PIACares #Gilgit #GreatPeopleToFlyWith pic.twitter.com/9IIrfqAz0c
— PIA (@Official_PIA) December 18, 2020
“Experience the beauty of SKARDU with PIA!!,” the airline stated in another tweet with a picture that read “It’s been a tough year for everyone. Why not take the much-needed break.”
Read more: PIA announces voluntary separation scheme (VSS) for employees to mitigate COVID-19 losses
Experience the beauty of SKARDU with PIA!!
Book Now: https://t.co/zzPi4NyCFA#PIA #PIACares #Skardu #GreatPeopleToFlyWith pic.twitter.com/dupRhGj7DL
— PIA (@Official_PIA) December 18, 2020
Another tweet revealed that people can now travel from Quetta to Lahore and Karachi for Rs. 8,711. Passengers will be allowed to carry a maximum of 40kg baggage.
Celebrate winter with PIA! Make your vacation plans with our amazing low fares and generous baggage allowance.
Book now at https://t.co/zzPi4NyCFA #PIA #WinterSale #GreatPeopleToFlyWith pic.twitter.com/E3kBA1AA6V
— PIA (@Official_PIA) December 19, 2020
Celebrate winter with PIA…. Make your vacation plans at amazing rates.
Book Now: https://t.co/zzPi4NyCFA#PIA #WinterSale #GreatPeopleToFlyWith pic.twitter.com/JCC0lZbMqd
— PIA (@Official_PIA) December 19, 2020
This announcement has come at a time when annual winter vacations are approaching. People tend to travel to far-flung places, especially the northern areas in winter. Keeping this in mind, low and affordable rates would garner more attention from people wanting to travel.
Read more: PIA slashes salaries by 50%
Air Marshal Arshad Malik, PIA’s Chief Executive Officer, is determined to improve the airline’s service quality. He has given directives to PIA’s officials to focus on providing the local as well as international passengers with the highest quality services.
PIA starts flight operations to the Saudi city, Abha
PIA also announced last week that it will begin new flight operations to and from the city of Abha in Saudi Arabia, as the demand for air travel was increasing by the Pakistanis living there.
PIA will operate two flights per week from Abha to Islamabad and Lahore, as ARY reports.
Read more: PIA expected to let go of 7,500-8,500 employees through Voluntary Separation Scheme
The national flag carrier got the approval for flights to the Kingdom’s region of Al Qassim and Abha by Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) on the 5th of November.
A flight schedule has already been issued, the first flight on this route was from Multan, on the 18th of November. According to resources Airbus 320 will be operating on this route.
PIA adds 8 new aircraft to ‘modernize’ fleet
The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to add eight new narrow-bodied airplanes to its fleet with a capacity of 170-plus. The 8 aircraft are expected to be delivered in the coming year. They will be acquired by a dry lease, which means that the airline will only acquire aircraft without any new staff.
The new aircraft will be replacing existing airplanes in the fleet, this plan had been in the works for almost two years. The plan had been however delayed due to the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic.
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According to PIA’s chief executive officer, Air Marshal Arshad Malik the new air fleet will be added to the current fleet of 37 aircraft, at latest by 2023, making it a fleet of 45. As per the PIA’s website, the airline has 37 aircraft, seven of which are Boeing 777s, nine Airbus-320’s and 21 ATRs.
PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez Khan said that the PIA is seeking to improve itself and modernize its fleet. The incumbent government had been seeking ways to revive the airline. Arshad Malik has back in July lauded the efforts by Prime Minister Imran Khan to reorganize the national airline.