Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan International Airlines is set to resume its direct flights to Paris today (Friday), marking the end of a four-and-a-half-year suspension.
The first flight, PK-749, will depart from Islamabad International Airport at 12:10pm, operated by a Boeing 777 (AP-BGK), with 330 passengers and 14 crew members onboard.
The inaugural flight will be seen off by Aviation Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, secretary aviation, PIA CEO Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, the directors general of the Civil Aviation Authority and Pakistan Airport Authority, and other senior officials.
In celebration of the relaunch, PIA has adorned the aircraft with a model of the Eiffel Tower on its tail and the slogan “I Love Paris” on the nose.
The Boeing 777 has been prepared in line with EU aviation standards.
A PIA spokesman said the airline is now expanding its wings to Europe and will operate direct flights between Islamabad and Paris twice a week, on Fridays and Sundays, Dawn.com reported.
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He stated the new service has been well-received, with full bookings for the first two flights.
He added “We expect strong demand for this route in the coming months.”
The spokesman further said that this direct route to Paris addresses a long-standing demand from the Pakistani community in France and Pakistan, offering reasonable fares and time savings.
PIA Introduces Wireless In-Flight Entertainment System
PIA has introduced a wireless in-flight entertainment system on the route, allowing passengers to access entertainment on their own devices.
Moreover, the airline has partnered with Air France to provide onward connections to twenty-one destinations across Europe and the UK via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
“PIA is committed to boosting connectivity and ensuring convenient travel options for its passengers, both domestically and globally,” the spokesman said.
The relaunch follows the European Aviation Safety Agency’s decision to lift the ban on Pakistani airlines operating in EU nations.
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The ban, which has been in place for over 4 years, was lifted recently, enabling PIA to resume services in Europe and the UK.
