Karachi, August 20, 2021 (PPI-OT):As part of resumptions of operations to Kabul, two more PIA special flights left for Kabul on Friday to bring back stranded Pakistanis and other foreign nationals to Pakistan. The flights operated on request of Pakistan embassy in Kabul and other foreign agencies.
CEO PIA, Air Marshal Arshad Malik himself travelled on the first flight from Islamabad to Kabul to encourage and motivate PIA crew whom are at forefront in national service and on humanitarian mission. To the pleasant surprise of the crew, the Director General of the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority came on the radio and welcomed the aircraft and the CEO PIA when it entered the Afghan Airspace.
Later on touch down, CEO PIA, who was the first passenger to disembark the aircraft, was greeted by the DG Afghan Civil Aviation Authority, other Airport officials and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, H.E Mansoor Ahmed Khan.
During his brief stay at Kabul, CEO PIA met with Afghan Civil Aviation Authority Officials, NATO forces officials. He had a one on one with the Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan discussing arrangements to handle the flights and passengers, including but not limited to the Visa matters for passengers travelling on PIA. He also reviewed the handling arrangements and terminal services at Kabul.
PIA operated two flights, one by A320 Aircraft and the other by Boeing 777 Aircraft. 390 passengers were brought to Islamabad from Kabul on these two flights which included Pakistani nationals, foreign diplomats, foreign media and journalists and employees of the World Bank. It is expected that PIA will be allowed to operate more flights by Minister of Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who has instructed officials to review flight operations to other cities of Afghanistan.
For more information, contact:
General Manager
Public Affairs
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA)
PIA Head Office Airport
Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-99043823
Fax: +92-21-34572225, +92-21-34570419
Cell: +92-322-7420707
Website: www.piac.com.pk