The national air carrier operated an Airbus A-320 flight from Islamabad to Skardu for the first time on Thursday, allowing a three-fold increase in the number of passengers making the trip.
PIA’s A-320 carried over 120 passengers to the valley, including a delegation of top aviation officials, cabin crew, adventure seekers and media personnel.
Special Assistant to PM on Aviation, Captain Shujaat Azeem, inaugurated the test flight. “This was a long-standing demand of the people of Skardu. They will now have the opportunity to travel on regular flights if the weather permits.
The Airbus will operate on daily basis and similar flights are in the pipeline for Gilgit and Chitral, he added. The move came on the directives of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.
Azeem said the Airbus has thrice the capacity of the ATR, which has been carrying passengers in the past. Whereas the ATR can carry up to 42 passengers, the airbus can carry around 130 passengers.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2015.
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