Northwest China’s Xinjiang resumes regular passenger flights to Pakistan

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China has resumed direct, regularly scheduled passenger flights to Pakistan.

After three years of stoppage due to COVID-19, China Southern Airlines resumed regular passenger service between Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, and Islamabad in Pakistan on Wednesday, according to CEN.

According to China Southern Airlines' Xinjiang affiliate, more than 160 passengers, largely international students and business travelers, flew to and from Islamabad on Wednesday.

One traveler with the last name Xiang, who often does business between China and Pakistan, claimed that the resumed direct service would significantly cut down on travel time and enable him to seize market possibilities more swiftly. The airline is scheduled to operate one-round trip per week.