Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced the launch of direct flights from Lahore to Skardu and Gilgit, a significant step towards expanding tourism in northern Pakistan. The new two-way flight operations will likely start on March 31, 2025, permitting travelers to encounter the magnificent beauty of the northern areas with greater ease and convenience.
- Lahore-Gilgit flights will operate on Mondays and Wednesdays
- Lahore-Skardu flights will be available on Thursdays and Sundays
These routes will fulfill the demands of both tourists and locals, providing a direct and time-saving substitute to the long and highly demanding road journey.
PIA has already commenced its final preparations to guarantee smooth and efficient operations on these routes. This initiative is expected to improve connectivity between Punjab and the northern regions, encouraging more domestic and international tourists to explore the natural beauty of Skardu and Gilgit.
PIA’s Plans to Resume UK Flights
PIA is highly also functioning on resuming direct flights to the United Kingdom (UK), which were halted back in 2020 due to regulatory concerns.
The airline has started making all the necessary plans to operate from Terminal 4 of Heathrow Airport of London, and it is a crucial step in the process of recreating its presence in the UK market.
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The Department for Transport (DFT) of United Kingdom is anticipated to complete an audit of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) before making a final decision on lifting the ban. The management team of PIA is highly optimistic that this process is about to be complete very soon, highly permitting the airline to restart direct flights from Islamabad to Manchester and London.
PIA is deciding to operate these flights by utilizing its Boeing 777 aircraft after the ban is lifted. This will assist in offering passengers a comfortable and direct travel option between Pakistan and the UK.
This move is highly anticipated to benefit thousands of passengers, specifically expatriates, who presently depend on connecting flights via other airlines.
The intention of PIA behind taking these initiatives is to
- Strengthen its national and international operations
- Offering better travel options
- Enhancing Pakistan’s global connectivity