ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airline (PIA) Saturday restarted its Air Safari service with a flight from country’s capital to Skardu – major tourism, trekking, and expedition hub in Gilgit–Baltistan
After being shut for nearly two years due to operational difficulties, the national flag carrier resumed operating the flights to the country’s north.
The report of the Associated Press of Pakistan cited that at least 91 passengers from 13 different countries were aboard the maiden flight including the ruling party leader and Minister for Energy Hammad Azhar.
The maiden Air Safari flight flew over the spectacular snow-capped mountains, including K2, Nanga Parbat, and Broad Peak before landing in Skardu Airport. Let it be known that the Air Safari is named to honor late Pakistani high-altitude mountaineer Ali Sadpara who went missing in February this year while scaling the world’s second-highest mountain K2.
According to Pakistan International Airline, ‘Sadpara Air Safari’ will operate every Saturday while the one-way fare will cost Rs25,000 for each passenger.
Sadpara Air Safari
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) launched today its Air Safari flight to boost tourism in the country.#PrideOfPakistan pic.twitter.com/EFe4QtAcEq
— Beautiful Pakistan 🇵🇰 (@PakistanInPeace) June 19, 2021
A report of an international news outlet quoting PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Niazi cited that ‘the flight will depart from the Islamabad International Airport and fly over K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum peaks, Deosai Plain and the famous Saif-ul-Malook Lake where every passenger will wonder at the beauty of the air safari from their personal window seat’.
It further stated that ‘the passengers will be able to enjoy complimentary hi-tea at the Shangrila Resort Hotel after landing at Skardu Airport’. ‘The departing flight will take off after two hours however it will be entirely up to passengers if they want to take the same flight back to federal capital or prolong their trip to the region’, the statement further reads.
The wait is over!
Experience the breathtaking beauty of Pakistan with us and book your tickets now, for our Sadpara Air Safari commencing today!#PIA #FlyPIA #GreatPeopleToFlyWith pic.twitter.com/OlIVsKJ6i6— PIA (@Official_PIA) June 19, 2021
The decision is another step at promoting tourism in the South Asian country as earlier, the PIA resumed flights to Skardu and Swat from Lahore and Karachi.
