PIA launches direct flight from Lahore to Baku; more routes in pipeline: Khawaja Asif

LAHORE, Apr 20 (APP): Federal Minister for Defense and Aviation Khawaja Muhammad Asif has announced that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will expand its operations to more international destinations in the near future.

He made these remarks while talking to the media at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Sunday, where he attended a ceremony marking the launch of PIA’s new direct flight from Lahore to Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.

The minister said that PIA is actively engaged with several countries to initiate new flight operations. He added that the number of flights to Baku will be increased, and over time, flights from other cities of Pakistan to Baku will also be started.

“PIA is working towards introducing more international routes to better serve the Pakistani diaspora and boost connectivity,” he said.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Pakistan Khizr Farhadio also graced the occasion, alongside Secretary of Defence Major General Amir Ashfaq Kayani, Deputy DG Pakistan Airports Authority Sameer Saeed, and CEO PIA Amir Hayat.

Lahore Airport Manager Chaudhry Nazir Ahmed welcomed the guests and briefed them about ongoing development projects at the airport.

The ceremony included a cake-cutting event, and gifts were distributed among passengers. The first flight, PK-159, took off for Baku carrying 176 passengers.