Lahore-Skardu flights to start again by PIA

The national airline of Pakistan has set its sights on resuming domestic flights from Lahore to Skardu.

 

According to a report from the local Pakistani newspaper The Nation, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) plans to reintroduce direct flights between Lahore and Skardu in order to promote tourism within the country.

 

The recommencement of domestic flights will commence on June 3, 2023, with services operating between Allama Iqbal International Airport (LHE) and Skardu International Airport (KDU). Initially, PIA intends to offer two weekly flights on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

 

Presently, the only available option to travel from Lahore to Skardu with Pakistan International Airlines is through connecting flights. Skardu is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and is considered a popular tourist destination in Pakistan.

 

Although the airline has not specified the aircraft it will utilize for the Lahore-Skardu route, it is likely that PIA will deploy its fleet of regional planes, such as the ATR turboprop aircraft, including three ATR 42s and one ATR 72. However, it's important to note that Pakistan International Airlines also operates a fleet of 15 Airbus A320s and 12 Boeing 777 widebody jets, according to data from Planespotters.net.

 

The report states that Pakistan International Airlines aims to expand its domestic flight operations in the future, aligning with the vision of the Federal Minister for Civil Aviation, Khawaja Saad Rafique, to enhance tourism within the country.

 

Furthermore, PIA has been actively reducing ticket prices on certain routes. Simple Flying recently reported that the airline has lowered fares on its Beijing flights to encourage more travelers from both countries, particularly targeting students and business travelers.

 

In early May, the airline spokesperson revealed a 30% reduction in ticket prices for flights between Pakistan and Beijing. PIA operates weekly flights between Islamabad International Airport (ISB) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), utilizing its Boeing 777 fleet.

 

With China reopening its international borders earlier this year, numerous foreign airlines swiftly resumed operations to cater to the surge in travelers. China has become a favored destination for Pakistani students seeking educational opportunities, with approximately 28,000 currently enrolled in various institutions across the country.

 

To cater specifically to students traveling between China and Pakistan, PIA introduced ticket price reductions in February. For the past six months, the airline has offered students discounts of up to 27%. Initially, the discounted fares were introduced for flights between Beijing and Islamabad in December 2022, and later extended to include the Islamabad-Chengdu route. Abdullah Hafeez Khan, spokesperson for PIA, commented on the price reductions at that time: