PIA plans direct flights to Australia
In this undated photo, A Pakistan International Airline (PIA) crew member serves meal inside an aircraft of the national flag carrier. PHOTO: FILE
For the first time in the country’s history, the national flag-carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), is set to launch direct flights to Australia.
According to a local news outlet, the state airline’s two weekly flights to Australia would cut the current travel time between the two countries by 30 percent. Currently, it takes passengers 34 to 35 hours to travel to and from Pakistan to Australia with some stopovers. Through direct flights, the travel time would be reduced to 12.5 to 13 hours.
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Citing the airline’s spokesperson, the report added that a feasibility study had been conducted, which showed how beneficial this move would be.
The weekly flights would begin in late March of early April, and would initially be limited to Lahore and Karachi, and Islamabad might be included later.
It is worth noting here that while PIA has made a decision, it is yet to receive authorisation from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority.