After a five-year hiatus, PIA resumes flights to Mashhad, Iran

Pakistan’s national flag carrier has resumed direct flights to Iran’s northeastern city of Mashhad after a gap of five years, officials said on Thursday.

The first Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight to Mashhad since 2017 departed from Lahore on Wednesday night, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Khan said in a statement.

“Flights to Mashhad are a continuation of the previously launched flights to Najaf, Baghdad and Damascus,” he said, adding that the new flight operations would help Shia Muslims visit holy sites in Iran.
Citing financial losses, PIA first suspended operations on some international routes, including Mashhad, in 2013.

Also read: PIA becomes first int’l airline to fly directly to Fujairah

Flights to the Iranian city were later restored before being grounded again in 2017.

Earlier in November this year, PIA became the first international airline to fly directly to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates.

PIA flights were started at the special request of the Emir of Fujairah. Under special arrangements for PIA flights, immigration of all passengers will be completed in 15 minutes. Special buses have also been arranged which will provide free access to other UAE cities.

(With input from News Desk)