https://arab.news/mf4xm
- Skardu lies in the heart of Pakistan鈥檚 Gilgit-Baltistan region, home to five of the world鈥檚 14 tallest peaks and a major tourist destination
- The development comes days after PIA announced the launch of direct flights from Lahore to Paris, with the first flight taking off on June 18
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights between Dubai and Pakistan鈥檚 mountainous Skardu district, the Pakistani consulate in Dubai said on Friday, in a bid to boost tourism.
The Skardu district lies in Pakistan鈥檚 northern Gilgit-Baltistan region, which is home to five of the world鈥檚 14 peaks above 8,000 meters and a major tourist destination. In Jan., CNN declared the scenic region among top 25 destinations in the world that are particularly worth visiting in 2025.
To mark the resumption of PIA鈥檚 Dubai-Skardu flights, initially launched in Aug. 2023, a ceremony was held at the airline鈥檚 office in Dubai, which was attended by Pakistani Consul General Hussain Muhammad and other officials.
鈥淧IA Regional Manager Mr. Sarmad Aizaz and his team hosted the event, celebrating this significant step toward boosting tourism and strengthening people-to-people ties between the UAE and Pakistan,鈥� the Pakistani consulate said.
鈥淭he event also welcomed members of a foreign tourist group traveling on the inaugural flight, underscoring the growing interest in Pakistan鈥檚 scenic northern areas.鈥�
The development comes days after PIA announced the launch of direct flights from Lahore to Paris, with the first flight taking off on June 18.
In January, PIA resumed flights to Europe after a four-and-a-half-year ban was lifted by EU regulators, becoming the only carrier to offer a direct route to and from the European Union.