Baku, 18 March 2022 (TDI): On March 16, 2022, direct flights started between Azerbaijan and Pakistan. At the Lahore Airport, several representatives attended on the occasion of the launch of direct flights between the two countries.
Speaking at the ceremony Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, CEO of PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Secretary Aviation Division, Shoukat Ali, noted that the launch of the direct flights will contribute to the further deepening of relations between the two brotherly countries, especially ties in economy and tourism.
They congratulated the people of the two countries.
The reason for the congratulations was the occasion of this historical event and wished them success in future joint activities. On the same day, a direct flight departed from Lahore to Baku. Along with Pakistani passengers; Azerbaijani Ambassador Khazar Farhadov, CEO of PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik, and Secretary Aviation Division Shoukat Ali also traveled to Azerbaijan.
The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Pakistan was among the first passengers of the flight. Farhadov then expressed confidence that direct flights will further strengthen the cooperation and ties of Pakistan and Azerbaijan of tourism and economy.
The Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan shared a video of the plane arriving in Baku where it was received with a water gun salute.
Air Marshal, Arshad Malik was also among the first passengers of the flight and thanked everyone involved for the realization of the flights.
AZERBAIJAN RECEIVED THE FIRST FLIGHT AND CEREMONY
The Heydar Aliyev International Airport of Azerbaijan received the first passenger flight of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). On this occasion, an official ceremony was held at the Heydar Aliyev International Airport.
Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Khazar Farhadov, Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan Bilal Hayee, Director of the State Civil Aviation Agency under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Arif Mammadov, Vice President of AZAL Eldar Hajiyev, CEO of PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Secretary Aviation Division Shoukat Ali and other officials attended the ceremony.
Furthermore, the ceremony had the participation of several representatives of Aviation and other departments of the Government. The first one was the Director of the State Civil Aviation Agency; which is under the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijani Republic A.Mammadov.
The Vice President of AZAL E.Hajiyev, Air Marshal Arshad Malik; and the Pakistani Ambassador to Azerbaijan B.Hayee also spoke at the event. Moreover, all of the speakers stressed the importance of the launch of direct flights; for the contribution to growing ties between Azerbaijan and Pakistan.
According to the speakers of the ceremony; this will also increase the number of direct flights as a result of future cooperation between the two countries’ airline companies. Finally, they congratulated the people of both countries on this occasion.
On the same day, the Pakistani airlines carried out a direct flight from Karachi to Baku as well. Finally, they remarked that the PIA will operate direct flights from Karachi and Lahore to Baku twice a week.
PAKISTAN AND AZERBAIJAN DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS
Pakistan was one of the first countries that recognized the independence of Azerbaijan in 1991. In 1992, both countries established diplomatic relations. Pakistan opened its Embassy in Azerbaijan in 1993.
On the other side, Azerbaijan opened its Embassy in Pakistan in 1997. The representatives of both countries have paid mutual working visits throughout the years. Furthermore, both have provided humanitarian assistance to each other if necessary.