Flight operations gain momentum

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: After being grounded for many days the national carrier’s flight operations continue to improve with the airline spokesman claiming PIA operated 13 flights in the last 12 hours.

While many flights still remain cancelled the situation is improving on a daily basis. Initially the airline prioritized bringing home pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia, but by Tuesday PIA had resumed operations to multiple international destinations as well.

Flight operations have resumed partially from Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. According to sources the frequency of operations is highest at the Benazir International Airport, Islamabad.

Danial Gillani the PIA spokesman confirmed that flights from Islamabad departed for Lahore, Dubai, Skardu on Tuesday while flights from Lahore, Dubai and Gilgit arrived safely as well.

In Karachi another 300 pilgrims returned home from Jeddah this morning which is the second flight to land at Karachi during the PIA employees’ strike. Meanwhile another flight carrying pilgrims from Jeddah also departed for Lahore.

While the flight operations have not resumed completely, the partial resumption has brought a welcome respite for passengers who were earlier hanging in limbo.