BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb. 26
By Klavdiya Romakayeva - Trend:
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) requested Uzbekistan for permission to operate flights to Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, Trend reports referring to the press service of PIA.
According to PIA spokesman Abdullah Hafeez, PIA Chief Executive Officer Air Marshal Arshad Malik has stepped up efforts to launch flights to Tashkent.
It is reported that negotiations took place between PIA Director General, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Aybak Arif Usmanov and Ambassador of Pakistan to Uzbekistan Syed Ali Asad Gillani.
During the meeting, the PIA requested permission to open Lahore-Tashkent flights as the national carrier planned to start flights by the end of March.
Also, it was noted at the meeting that the Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent and Bukhara and Samarkand regions are important for pilgrim tourism.
In addition, the spokesman also said that PIA is expanding its flights to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries, adding that the airline's fifth flight to Kabul (Afghanistan) will begin on March 4, while flights from Lahore to Baku (Azerbaijan) will begin on March 14.
Earlier Uzbekistan Airports JSC announced privileges for ground handling of foreign airlines' planes at the airports of Uzbekistan in mid-January.
It is reported that this move allowed two more foreign airlines to be attracted to Uzbekistan, in addition to Iran Aseman Airlines in less than a month.
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