Chitral Times Report
ISLAMABAD: British Airways is resuming its flight operation to Pakistan after gap of eighteen years. First flight of British Airways (BA- 261) is arriving at Islamabad International Airport (IIAP) on 3rd June, 2019 (Monday) at 9:25 A.M from Heathrow (London) where 240 passengers will arrive by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with Pakistani and British flags in their hands. In line with the spirit of this joyous occasion, Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister for Aviation, Mr. Abdur Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production, Mr. Zulfiqar Hussain Bukhari, Special Assistant on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development along with Mr. Shahrukh Nusrat, Secretary Aviation, senior officials of Aviation Division, and the British High Commission will welcome the passengers at Islamabad International Airport The same aircraft, as flight BA- 260, will depart for Heathrow at 11:10 A.M with passengers on board from Islamabad. Later in the day, Mr. Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Minister for Aviation, Mr. Abdur Razak Dawood, Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production, and Ms. Firdous Ashiq Awan along with Mr. Thomas Drew, the British Higher Commission, Andrew Brem chief commercial officer British Aiways and Shshrukh Nusrat Secretary Aviation / DG CAA will hold a joint Press Conference. As per the flight programme during the summer season, the British Airways will fly thrice a week between London Heathrow and Islamabad. Considering presence of large Pakistani diaspora in the United Kingdom, the BA flights will provide a convenient connection between the two countries. Apart from the diaspora, the flight link will promote cultural values, tourism and business opportunities between the United Kingdom and Pakistan. As a new hub for air travel, Islamabad International Airport will provide easy and convenient access to all parts of Pakistan. Several other major air operators have shown keen interest in initiating operations to Islamabad. It is expected that with the growth of number of passengers and cargo traffic, the initiatives will provide impetus to the growth of the aviation sector in line with the National Aviation Policy, 2019. The Aviation Division stands committed to provide world-class passenger experience at Pakistan’s airports with its state-of-the-art facilities and technological excellence. *Statement of Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Federal Minister for Aviation* ; The resumption of British Airways’ flight operation will be counted as a major milestone in the aviation history of Pakistan. The London Islamabad route will provide direct connection and ease of transport for our diaspora based in UK.