KARACHI: After 17 years, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to operate flights to the Saidu Sharif Airport in Swat in order to promote tourism.
According to PIA officials, PIA will operate a test flight to the airport using an ATR aircraft in the last week of this month and called for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to make arrangements in this regard.
The officials further said the required development work at the Saidu Sharif airport has been carried out. The official said that the airport has been non-operational for a long time and will be re-opened following the approval of the federal government.
He said the airport’s runway has been readied for flights to land and take off. Founded in 1978, the airport, which handled two daily flights from Islamabad and Peshawar, was closed during militancy in Swat valley.
Earlier, President Dr Arif Alvi had said the establishment of Sialkot International Airport Limited (SIAL) will enhance exports and trade activities besides boosting the tourism sector of the country.
He made these remarks in a meeting with the management of the Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
While lauding the role of SCCI in establishing the country’s first private aviation facility, the president said the airport will facilitate exporters and entrepreneurs and will also help accelerate economic activities in the country.
He said during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government had provided a financial stimulus package to mitigate the adverse impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the country’s economy.
The president also appreciated the contribution made by Sialkot’s business community in promoting education and providing health facilities at the grassroots level.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Aviation Ghulam Sarwar Khan, Secretary Aviation Shoukat Ali, Chairman SIAL Mian Naeem Javed and Director-General Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
