'Historic': First international flight lands at Skardu airport

PK-234 aircraft carrying 80 passengers from Dubai landed today morning

An aircraft carrying 80 passengers from Dubai landed at the Skardu airport on Monday making it the first international flight to have done so.

https://twitter.com/appcsocialmedia/status/1691021070965547009?s=20

Flight PK234 departed from Dubai International Airport and landed at Skardu airport at 8:15am.

A simple but grand ceremony was organized at Skardu Airport where the passengers were welcomed by PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Vice Marshal Amir Hayat, senior civil aviation officials and other political and social figures and government officials.

Traditional caps and gifts of Gilgit-Baltistan were distributed among the passengers. The aircraft was also presented with a water cannon salute by the airport authorities on arrival. The captain opened the cockpit window and hoisted the national flag to mark the occasion of Independence Day.

Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani's office issued a statement expressing tremendous excitement over the news.

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"History in the making!" read the tweet, "First international flight to Skardu landing safely is indeed a historic moment."

History in its making ! First international flight to Skardu landing safely is indeed a historic moment. It opens up new possibilities for travel and connects Skardu with the rest of the world. It's a great step towards promoting tourism and enhancing the region's connectivity. pic.twitter.com/neyTWCBEe0

— Office of the Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan (@csgbpk) August 14, 2023

"It opens up new possibilities for travel and connects Skardu with the rest of the world. It's a great step towards promoting tourism and enhancing the region's connectivity," the statement added.

Meanwhile, the national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) also shared the happy news on social media with images showing the passengers receiving a warm welcome upon arrival.

Dramatic scenes at #Skardu, when the historic 1st Int'l flight touches down at the tarmac, marshalled to a water cannon salute, and pilot waving the national flag from the cockpit window.

Skardu is now open to the world! #14August #IndependenceDay2023 pic.twitter.com/1rg209t02R

— PIA (@Official_PIA) August 14, 2023

"Dramatic scenes at Skardu, when the historic first international flight touches down at the tarmac, marshalled to a water cannon salute, and pilot waving the national flag from the cockpit window," read the tweet.

"Skardu is now open to the world!" it added.

Notably, tourists will now be able to enjoy breathtaking views of Gilgit-Baltistan and its snow-capped Himalayan mountains.

PIA's weekly flights from Dubai to Skardu will play an important role in promoting tourism in the northern regions of Pakistan.

Tourists will now be able to reach Skardu by a three-and-a-half-hour direct flight from Dubai.