PIA mulls more frequencies, partnerships

Indunil HEWAGE

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is exploring possibilities to identify and merge air services and related activities between the two countries.

Aqueel Siddiqui

Discussions are being held by the relevant authorities in Pakistan and Sri Lanka to identify new market opportunities, route expansion plans and issues related to technical aspects in engineering and others.

"Pakistan people are really enthusiastic to visit Sri Lanka due to its serene environment and hospitable people and Pakistan students also visit Sri Lanka for various educational purposes. PIA would look at increasing frequency to Sri Lanka in the future while serving more destinations in the world," Pakistan International Airlines Country Manager for Sri Lanka Aqueel Siddiqui told Daily News Business.

Addressing the opening ceremony of Pakistan International Airlines new office premises at Colombo yesterday Siddiqui said this move will definitely bolster bi-lateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Pakistan by creating more economic benefits to the aviation industry in both countries. "Though many budget airlines are getting popular in Sri Lanka, they are only capable of attracting blue collar workers.

Many corporates, MICE and leisure tourists are very much service and safety conscious and they avoid budget airlines," Siddiqui said. There is a good demand for Sri Lankan betel leaves in Pakistan and it is the main air cargo which Sri Lanka exports to Pakistan.