Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir during a meeting with CEO PIA Air Marshal (Retired) Arshad Malik discussed possibility of the resumption of PIA flights at Dera Ghazi Khan Airport.
Runway condition and aircraft refueling facility at the airport was also discussed.
The minister had won 2018 general elections national assembly seat from NA-191 (Dera Ghazi Khan-III).
PIA Dera Ghazi Khan flights are suspended since year 2019.
In the past, PIA operated scheduled passenger flights for Dera Ghazi Khan with turboprop aircraft.
PIA ATR 72-500 registration AP-BKY photographed at Dera Ghazi Khan Airport by First Officer Uzair Ansari in year 2016. The ATR had arrived as flight PK584 from Karachi.
What are these rogue logos PIA comes up with - the floral wreath is a bit odd
I understand the need for socioeconomic routes but PIA could consider prioritising connecting pairs of large cities such Peshawar with LHE, LYP, UET and KBL and potentially build in the socio routes as tags if needed. The overall benefit might be greater especially where there is a significant advantage versus road/rail.
PIA Exploring Possibility of Resuming Dera Ghazi Khan flights
* Flights to link Al Qassim with Dera Ghazi Khan also under consideration
Karachi 12, April 2021: Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul called on CEO PIA, Air Marshal Arshad Malik at PIA office.
During the meeting the possibility of having flights for Dera Ghazi Khan and PIA performance including COVID scenario aviation constraints were discussed.
CEO PIA assured the Minister for re-commencing flights to Dera Ghazi Khan, however, the present conditions were not conducive for full fledge flight operations due to lack of infrastructure facilities such as aircraft fueling and condition of runway at Dera Ghazi Khan. He said that PIA could only operate limited flights under such conditions.
Zartaj Gul said that with Public Private Partnership and Business Community’s participation the infrastructure and facilities at the airport could be improved. She also suggested for having corporate packages for the Business Community and Chamber of Commerce, Dera Ghazi Khan.
CEO PIA said that even with travel constraints for Saudi Arabia, PIA will also look into the possibility of having twice a week flights to Al Qassim, Saudi Arabia from Dera Ghazi Khan. Minister of State of Climate Change, Ms. Zartaj Gul appreciated the efforts being made by CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik and airline’s officials for the betterment of the airline.
President Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi met CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik and discussed re-opening of PIA Booking Office in Dera Ghazi Khan and resumption of airline's flights to link Dera Ghazi Khan with Karachi and Dubai.
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar also has sent letters to PIA and Aviation Division to seek reopening of airline's booking office in Dera Ghazi Khan and reopening of Dera Ghazi Khan Airport.
Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir informed news media that PIA office in Dera Ghazi Khan has been made functional.
Operation of PIA flight from Dera Ghazi Khan to Karachi expected to start from November 23, she informed.
Efforts being made to make Dera Ghazi Khan Airport fully functional for domestic and international flights, she said.
Recently, Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also installed a new machine for scanning large size aircraft hold baggage & cargo items at Dera Ghazi Khan Airport.
PIA Dera Ghazi Khan flights are suspended due to COVID-19 situation, says CEO PIA Air Marshal Arshad Malik. The airline will resume flights on routes like between Dera Ghazi Khan and Dubai after improvement in inbound passenger load.
