The Government has decided to operationalize international flights from Quetta Airport by the 14th of August this year to enhance Balochistan’s connectivity with the Middle East.
In this respect, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal made directions, while chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Friday.
He said it would particularly enhance the connectivity of the people of the province with the Middle East, which hosted a large number of Pakistani diaspora working there, he said while chairing a meeting to finalize the pricing model of fares for airports in Balochistan for higher traffic volumes and enhanced air-connectivity of the provinces.
Advisor Maritime Affairs Jawad Khokhar, Additional Secretary Planning Dawood Muhammad Bareach, secretary aviation, Balochistan chief secretary, Pakistan International Airlines chief executive officer, and Civil Aviation Authority deputy director-general attended the meeting.
The meeting was also briefed that PIA is operating 30 flights weekly to three cities in Balochistan. The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed mainstream flight operations for the people of Balochistan to alleviate their sense of isolation.
He observed that the dynamic pricing model being practiced currently, created a hike in fare pricing which discouraged people to opt for air travel.
He directed to devise a fair price structure mechanism that “is static which does not lead to skyrocketing the airfares. It is our utmost priority to address the low volume of domestic flights connecting the people of Baluchistan to other parts of the country.”
Ahsan Iqbal stressed that all airlines like Serene, Air Sial, and others should also operate on Balochistan routes for maximum facilitation of the people of the province.
Planning Minister was also directed to ensure the inauguration and shifting of flight operations from the old Gwadar Airport to New Gwadar Airport in March of next year. He said it will be a gift for the people of Balochistan on Pakistan Day.
