PIA starts Lahore-Salalah direct flight

Pakistan International Airlines made history on December 1, 2016, when it landed at Salalah Airport, located 1100 kilometers South West of Muscat, Oman. The flight arrived directly from Lahore with 100% occupancy and was accorded a traditional ‘water salute’ upon landing, keeping with the tradition in the Aviation Sector to welcome the inaugural flights.

On the occasion, an impressive ceremony was co-hosted by the Civil Aviation Authorities of Oman and PIAon the premises of the Airport with the presence of HE Salim Bin Awadh al Yafi, Deputy Governor Dhofar Region. HE Mr. Marhoun, Ambassador-designate to Pakistan, who resides in Salalah City, was also present on the occasion. Both dignitaries, welcomed the initiation of direct flights to Salalah, as a substantive measure towards diversification of bilateral relations.

The Ambassador Mr. Ali Javed, while appreciating the decision by PIA to connect Pakistan with Salalah, observed that the intention was to promote trade links with Dhofar Region and further people-to-people exchanges. He added that Lahore is deemed as cultural center of Pakistan and boasts a rich historical heritage and hence a direct flight would facilitate tourists. HE added that

there are 261,000 Pakistanis residing in Oman. In addition to PIA, Air Blue and Shaheen Air cumulatively operate 26 weekly flights to Oman while Oman Air operates 10 weekly flights. With the introduction of two weekly direct flights on Lahore-Salalah Sector, an estimated 50,000 Pakistanis residing in Salalah region would stand to benefit from this facility.

Islamabad
6 December 2016

613/2016