Resumption of operations: PIA chief flies to Kabul on one of two special flights

PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik himself traveled on the first flight from Islamabad to Kabul to encourage and motivate PIA crew whom are at forefront in national service and on humanitarian mission.

To the pleasant surprise of the crew, the Director General of the Afghan Civil Aviation Authority came on the radio and welcomed the aircraft and the CEO PIA when it entered the Afghan Airspace.

Later on touch down, the CEO PIA, who was the first passenger to disembark the aircraft, was greeted by the DG Afghan Civil Aviation Authority, other Airport officials and Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, H.E Mansoor Ahmed Khan.

During his brief stay at Kabul, CEO PIA met with  Afghan Civil Aviation Authority Officials, NATO forces officials. He had a one on one with the Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan discussing arrangements to handle the flights and passengers, including but not limited to the Visa matters for passengers travelling on PIA. He also reviewed the handling arrangements and terminal services at Kabul.

PIA operated two flights, one by A320 Aircraft and the other by Boeing 777 Aircraft.   390 passengers were brought to Islamabad from Kabul on these two flights which included Pakistani nationals, foreign diplomats, foreign media and journalists and employees of the world bank.

It is expected that PIA will be allowed to operate more flights by Minister of Aviation, Ghulam Sarwar Khan, who has instructed officials to review flight operations to other cities of Afghanistan.