Aviation Minister appreciates PIA’s first Istanbul flight
Minister
for Aviation Khawaja Saad Rafique has expressed hope that flight operation to
Istanbul will further improve and strengthen people to people contacts between Pakistan
and Turkey.
He was
speaking as chief guest at a ceremony in connection with the first PIA flight
to Istanbul from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport on Tuesday.
The
Minister said Pakistan and Turkey have strong brotherly relations which stand
the test of time.
He said
that PIA is making efforts to improve its services and expanding its network
for the convenience of passengers.
PIA
will now operate six weekly flights from Pakistan to Istanbul, from where
Pakistani passengers will be able to fly to 28 cities in Europe, UK and USA
under PIA Turkish Airlines code-sharing agreement. Four flights will depart
from Islamabad and two from Lahore each week.
PIA has
commenced flight operation to Istanbul at a time when Pakistan and Turkey are
celebrating the 75th Anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Meanwhile,
PIA’s first flight was given a water gun salute on arrival at Istanbul airport.
CEO Turkish airlines Bilal Uksi and Istanbul authorities greeted CEO PIA and
passengers at the aircraft. Bilal Uksi said that People of Pakistan and PIA are
our brothers and we will do whatever we can for the progress of PIA.
Various
agreements have been finalized between PIA and Turkish Airlines in recent days
and both Airlines will cooperate in the areas of food services, cargo and
engineering.