In an attempt to tap rising passenger traffic from Peshawar and its peripheries, Emirates has announced plans to increase its presence in Peshawar and opened an office at the Bacha Khan Airport.
“We need to ensure our presence where our customers need us and this initiative is just another example of Emirates positioning itself close to the customers,” said Khalid Bardan, Emirates Vice President for Pakistan.
“We strive to provide maximum ease and convenience to all air travellers by offering a comprehensive array of facilities to make their travel experience comfortable and exciting,” he said.
Industry officials say there has been a continuous increase in passengers who travel from Peshawar to Dubai and beyond – a market that Emirates wants to capitalise on in the coming days.
Peshawar is a fast growing market besides established hubs like Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan.
Despite security issues, say industry officials, the growth in the number of air passengers from Peshawar is a healthy sign for the economy of upcountry areas.
Like Lahore, Peshawar is also a hub for its peripheries and many air travellers come to the city to catch domestic and international flights.
“The opening of the new office reinforces Emirates’ commitment to providing quality services, facilitating and assisting its growing customer base in the northern region of the country,” the Dubai-based air carrier said in a press release.
According to Emirates, the Peshawar office will accommodate and assist elderly travellers and unaccompanied minors in safe journey. Free of charge wheelchairs will be available to the elders whereas minors will be escorted to the aircraft by trained staff of the airline.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2012.
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This is the chance for the federal govt to show its muscle if provincial govt does not do any thing for improving service at Quetta airport. Other option is to give Quetta air port to private sector for day to day operation.
Mr. Khalid Bardan EVP Emirates Pakistan and the GCC region has contributed a lot to the transport secstor of Pakistan. Emirates, Etihad Airways are the first airline pairs to implement all six passengers self service options in IATA's Fast Travel initiatives. Pakistan offer tremendous opportunity to Emirates and UAE together. As participant at the World Passenger Symposium 2012 organised by IATA in Abu Dhabi highlighted Global Civil Aviation standards with e-Ticketing, bar coded boarding passes, self service kiosks and innovations. Emirates should consider to participate in Pakistan surface transport sector with rolling stock of locomotives licensed by the Pakistan Railways to operate standard railway passenger and cargo services for hub cities being operative in Pakistan for international traffic. Besides inter-city/cross country traffic by railways, the Metro rail service in Karachi will bring the fruits of transport and passenger facilitation to the standards in the UAE which is un-matched in the world of transport. Being in the transport sector with affiliation of UIC (International Union of Railways, Paris) and IATA, IAPA and working on M&A., of international civil Aviation. Being a fan and supporter of the UAE for FDI in Pakistan should be strengthened. Services of Emirates need to be upgraded on the level being shown and mentioned at the World Passenger Symposium 2012. Suggest senior citizen travel incentive on Emirates be accorded for travel from Pakistan.
I wish any government in Pakistan bring the Quetta airport too at par with others in the country ........ along with Gwadar