HP News Desk

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA flight between Islamabad and Beijing) is all set to begin direct weekly passenger flights on the Beijing-Islamabad-Beijing route by the end of October, following approval from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

Currently, the national airline operates a weekly flight on the Islamabad-Xian-Beijing-Islamabad route. The PIA flight between Islamabad and Beijing departs Islamabad on Saturday and arrives in Xian the following day. After the passengers have disembarked, the plane will land in Beijing on Sunday and leave for Islamabad on Sunday evening.

However, Pakistan being China’s only all-weather strategic partner and the two countries shared interest and cooperation in various areas, the CAAC has approved PIA’s launch of direct weekly flights to and from Beijing, official sources told APP on Thursday.

The CAAC has also requested that the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) notify the PIA of the need to submit schedule filings to receive timely approval. The direct passenger flight Islamabad-Beijing-Islamabad will benefit passengers, particularly those living in the Chinese capital, such as officials, traders, and students.

The flight will also benefit Chinese personnel working on various projects in Pakistan as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).