The country’s flag airline acknowledged in a statement that the first international flight from Pakistan’s northern Skardu city sailed for Dubai on Tuesday with 160 passengers.
This occurs eight days after the first direct international aircraft from Dubai to Skardu landed in the northern city on August 14. Direct flights connecting the two towns would make Skardu, Pakistan’s northern mountainous Gilgit-Baltistan region, more accessible to foreign visitors.
Skardu International Airport will open in December 2021.
“The first international flight has departed from Skardu Airport for Dubai,” Pakistan’s flag carrier, the PIA, said in a statement. “Flight PK-211 left for Dubai with 160 passengers.”
According to a PIA official, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) staff at the airport handled the immigration process for passengers. It went on to say that the passengers were pleased with the arrangements.
Skardu is a lovely valley located 7,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, clean lakes, and lush green valleys. Snow leopards, ibex, and markhor are among the animals found in the area.
The valley is visited by hundreds of domestic tourists each year.
