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| Tuesday, 6 January 2004 |
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PIA resumes flights to Colombo after two years by Sudarshana Perera Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) commenced flight operations between Colombo and Karachi on January 1 after a two-year lapse. The new operation will accommodate the increase of passengers travelling between the two countries. A Pakistan Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft called at the Bandaranaike International Airport carrying more than 40 % of the passenger capacity to and fro. Country Manager of Pakistan Airlines, Obaid Ur Rehman said that his airline in a bid to attract more Sri Lankan passengers to Pakistan is in the process of discussing with the Pakistan Embassy to relax the visa formalities for Sri Lankans. "We see a potential market in Sri Lanka due to the healthy economic and peaceful environment in the country", he said. He also said that the airline will lay a comprehensive strategy to attract more Sri Lankans to visit religious sites in Pakistan which is a untapped market. "We have appointed our General Sales Agent NCAR Sky Clan (Pvt) Ltd to promote more passengers flying to Pakistan with attractive offers", he said. "Sri Lanka has become a popular tourist destination "Paradise Island" in the World. Due to the peace process and a sound economy Sri Lanka is a fast growing hub for trade and business. The movements of Pakistani passengers too for holiday and business purposes is on the increase and our airline will cater to this increased demand", he said. "Due to healthy diplomatic relations that India and Pakistan ventured into recently, we have got fly over permission from India to operate flights to Sri Lanka. We stopped our services to Sri Lanka in December 27, 2001 and we are happy to operate our airlines to Sri Lanka again", he said. "We are also eyeing to carry Sri Lankan passengers to the Middle East via Pakistan while commencing operations to Singapore", he said. "Pakistan Airlines will also offer convenient connecting facilities to its passengers with a competitive fare structure". "Ticketing Office Manager, M. H. Hameed said that the record number of passengers who flew on the first day of operation was encouraging and the new move by the airline will boost the aviation industry in the region. The flights will be operated every Tuesday and Thursday. Pakistan International Airlines with 44 aircraft flies to over 40 destinations in Pakistan and international destinations in Middle East, Europe, USA, Canada, China and Japan. |
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