From Faisalabad: International flights a possibility

Economic feasibility may rekindle hopes of development, says FCCI chief.

FAISALABAD: The Emirates Airline has given its consent to initiate three to four weekly flights from Faisalabad, provided these are found economically feasible, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Rizwan Ashraf, while speaking to a delegation of local businessmen on Monday.

The FCCI chief said that a direct international flight from Faisalabad is the top priority, which was the reason he requested his first meeting with the Emirates delegation.



“I requested the local management of the airline to immediately take measures to start direct flights linking Faisalabad to countries abroad,” he said. He added that the management of Emirates was of the view that there was no hitch but it should be economically feasible.

Ashraf said that he has collected data of passenger load and forwarded it to Emirates, which would enable it to process the request.

“A new airport can be developed to meet future needs on the pattern of Sialkot,” said the president. “Heavy shipments from Faisalabad were only possible by sea, but we are in contact with the government to carve out an aerial solution to this.”

Comparing Sialkot to Faisalabad, the president said that Shaheen Air was successful in providing its services as 90% small shipments were dispatched by air from Sialkot.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2014.

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