PIA inks cargo deal with Indonesia's Garuda

Agreement to boost exports, expand air freight access to key global markets

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan International Airlines has signed a cargo cooperation agreement with Indonesia's national carrier Garuda, a move aimed at providing Pakistani exporters smoother, uninterrupted access to key global markets through an expanded and more competitive air freight network.

According to a PIA spokesperson, the national-flag carrier and Garuda Indonesia have formalised a Cargo Special Pro-Rate Agreement designed to facilitate exports and strengthen Pakistan's presence in international markets through improved cargo connectivity.

The agreement comes into force from January 2026 and will remain valid until July 2027, offering exporters a defined window of stable cargo arrangements and predictable rates for shipments to multiple international destinations.

Under the deal, Pakistani export cargo will be routed to Jakarta and other international cities via Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur, enabling exporters to tap into Southeast Asian and wider global supply chains more efficiently.

The agreement also extends cargo facilities to major commercial hubs including Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, significantly broadening the reach of Pakistani goods across Asia-Pacific markets.

PIA said the arrangement would make access easier to markets such as Shanghai, Guangzhou, Seoul and Australia, improving transit options and reducing logistical hurdles faced by Pakistani exporters.