Beijing, 28 August 2024 (TDI): China Southern Airlines has successfully launched a new direct flight route between Guangzhou and Islamabad, marking a major milestone in enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
A flight numbered CZ8069 took off from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China, on August 25, carrying 163 passengers bound for Islamabad International Airport, Pakistan. The departure marks the official launch of the direct route between the two cities.
The route’s launch comes shortly after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on August 1 that Pakistan will offer visa-free entry to Chinese nationals starting from August 14, to boost economic and industrial collaboration between the two nations.
Operated by a Boeing 787, the Islamabad- Guangzhou route will run three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. The scheduled departure time from Guangzhou is 15:40 Beijing time, with an estimated arrival in Islamabad at 19:35 local time (22:35 Beijing time). The flight duration is about 6 hours and 55 minutes.
The new direct route is likely to considerably reduce travel time and costs, further enhancing the exchange between the two nations and even the whole region.
Among the inaugural flight’s passengers were not only tour groups but also a considerable number of business travelers and returning expatriates.
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The flight route is the latest addition to the expanding network of flights between the two countries, including routes from Urumqi to Lahore, Urumqi to Islamabad, Urumqi to Islamabad via Kashgar, and Guangzhou to Lahore.
