Tajikistan’s Somon Air launches flights
to Pakistan
In a significant move to bolster
trade and connectivity between Pakistan and Central Asia, Tajikistan's national
airline, Somon Air, has inaugurated its flight operations to Pakistan. On June
27, 2024, the airline's first-ever flight landed at Islamabad International
Airport, marking a new chapter in regional connectivity efforts.
In a handout photograph taken and
released by Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Faisal Karim Kundi and the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Pakistan, Yusuf
Sharifzoda, posed with airport officials to commemorate the occasion.
Read More Direct
air link starts between Tajikistan, Pakistan
Weekly Flights and Economic
Opportunities
Initially, the flight will operate
once a week, facilitating travel between the two countries and enhancing
people-to-people contacts. This direct flight connection aims to save travel
time and create new opportunities for trade and tourism.
Strategic Push for Regional
Connectivity
Pakistan's initiative to strengthen
ties with Central Asian Republics focuses on unlocking mutual economic
benefits, particularly in energy, trade, and infrastructure, leveraging its
strategic geographic location. Central Asian nations, recognizing the potential
to access broader markets via Pakistani ports, are increasingly interested in
enhancing their trade and transport links with Pakistan.
Ceremonial Welcome and Initial
Operations
The first Somon Air flight received
a traditional water cannon salute from the Civil Aviation Authority’s fire
tenders. Handled by Shaheen Airport Services, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Air
Force, the inaugural event also featured a cake-cutting ceremony. The flight
departed from Islamabad to Dushanbe later that afternoon with 52 passengers on
board.
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Expanding Trade Links
Earlier this year, Pakistan exported
its first consignment of locally produced potatoes to Tajikistan, creating a
significant export opportunity. This move is part of Pakistan's broader
strategy to increase trade with the landlocked regions of Central Asia.
This new flight operation by Somon
Air symbolizes a growing partnership between Pakistan and Tajikistan,
reflecting broader regional aspirations for enhanced connectivity and economic
collaboration.
Source: Arab News