During a meeting on Sunday with the Federal Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (FPCCI) delegation, headed by Qurban Ali, FPCCI’s chairman, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Air Marshal (retd) Arshad Malik, announced to increase the national airline’s flight operations to Gilgit-Baltistan and the surrounding region to enhance business, tourism, and connectivity.
“Currently the PIA has ongoing operations of 2 flights, which would be increased to 3 flights by March 28 to enhance the connectivity between Gilgit-Baltistan,” Arshad Malik expressed during the meeting.
Read more: Experts to arrive to devise a PIA rescue plan
“We want to enhance the cooperation with the business community and the community should come forward and play their due role in helping the PIA for making it more efficient and strong,” Malik stated, as per a press release issued by the FPCCI, adding that this increased connectivity would pave the way for employment, business culture, economy, tourism, trade, and investment, hence, a more flourishing and strengthened Pakistan.
Also discussed in the FPCCI meeting was the construction of a new runway at the Gilgit Airport as well as improved resources, services, and offices. PIA CEO also decided to decrease the passenger fare to further facilitate the business community and passengers of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Read more: PIA employees turn to CJP as non-payment of dues takes two former employees’ lives
Moreover, PIA CEO Arshad Malik apprised the national flag carrier is undergoing financial restructuring and getting a new fleet of aircraft. It is also prioritizing new flight destinations and staff training so that it can target the maximum amount of passengers from across the world.
He added that PIA had to face several challenges in the form of financial and technological issues, however, it would “revive its past glory and come out from all these facing challenges” with the help of exporters and the business community, said Arshad Malik.
Read more: PIA will now seize passports of crew members after the missing flight attendant incident
Furthermore, PIA CEO said that the covid-19 pandemic took a toll on PIA and the FPCCI, and Pakistan’s business community had to come forward to salvage the airline. He also acknowledged the part FPCCI and the business community of Gilgit-Baltistan have played in Pakistan’s development.
Arshad Malik further went on to state, “The PIA will also be provided other incentives, including special discounts and a corporate package for the business community of Gilgit-Baltistan region as we already provided these facilities to the business community of Afghanistan.”
Talking about the flight operations for the “devotees” to Iraq, the airline’s CEO said that PIA will soon begin its flight operations to Iraq, as per the Iraqi authorities’ permission, that were otherwise put to a halt amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Once resumed, the airline would facilitate the “devotees” to its fullest, he added.
Read more: PIA: Plane hits a baggage tractor at the Islamabad airport this time