Quetta (TDI): Iran Air’s new weekly flight linking Quetta and Zahedan took off on Friday, marking the start of a direct air connection between the two neighboring cities.
The first Airbus A-319 touched down at Quetta International Airport at 9:15 p.m., where it was welcomed by local officials and members of the business community.
After a stay of more than two hours, the aircraft departed for Zahedan, capital of Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan province, at 11:30 p.m. with 75 passengers on board.
For now, the route will operate once a week, though officials say the frequency could be increased if passenger demand grows, according to Dawn.
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A brief ceremony at Quetta airport celebrated the occasion, attended by the Iranian consul general and consulate staff, representatives from the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and several prominent business figures.
Airport manager Waheed Shah, terminal manager Ismail Khoso, and ASF’s chief security officer were among those present to see off the travelers.
The launch comes just weeks after Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that pilgrims would be barred from traveling by road to Iran and Iraq for Arbaeen this year, citing security concerns.
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In a statement, Naqvi said the decision followed consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and security agencies.
With the new flight in place, air travel could offer pilgrims and traders a safer, faster route between Quetta and Zahedan, potentially strengthening people-to-people and commercial links between Pakistan and Iran.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
